The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-06-06
Arbitration.

ArOItfat1On.
snail the utterances of the press about
arbitration be attributed to folly or ignor-
ance?
AS long as the capitalist seems to have a
!alr prospect of coercing his employees there
is but little said about arbitration, but as
soon as the men prove themselves masters
OF the situation the air is kept hot with the
agltaton OF the press demanding the eS-
adjustment of some form of arbitration.
Ii there was any conception of justice in
the minds of those SO DESTROYS to arbitrate,
there would be no mater in dispute to arbi-
trate In every case where arbitration pre-
walls it results in the degradation of labor
10 some extent; even in the grand victory
over the Great Northern by the A r. U.
labor lost l per cent.
suppose the Great Northern should order
another cut in wages, and another strike
should result in arbitration, is it to be sup
posed that the arbitrator would give labor
all or more than they ask? BY no means.
The arbitration committee would be largely
composed of employers of labor, and their
own self-interest would make them preju-
diced jury, and a claim made for conses-
SionS even if but a small concession was
made, it would mean a still further move
downward in the social scale for the work.
men.
Let us note how arbitration has worked
with the miners. Twenty-Five years ago
they received good wages, but as the SOL
dlers. on returning from the war of the re-
beilion were forced on the labor market in
competition with other laborers, the wages
OF the miners were reduced and they
struck. Arbitration left them with reduced
wages Other strikes against further re-
auctions followed, more arbitration between
owner and miner. apparent concession on
both sides; result. less wages for the miner,
more profits for the owner. Why? Let us
see.
There are three factors to be considered
IN the solution of the problem, viz: Labor,
legitimate capital, and illegtimate capital.
Without going into discussion of whether
there is really any such thing as labor and
capital separate and distinct, one from the
other, we will allow it possible for capital
and labor to exist separate, labor being the
necessary physical force to operate the
mine, legitimate capital the necessary ma
chinery to equip it.
These are the only factors that can posi-
bly, be considered in a just settlement of
the question of wages and profit.
settlement of wages on this
basis could easily be effected
by ascertaining the actual worth of the
machinery and allowing for deterioration
and legal interest. All the rest belongs to
labor, either of Superintendent or for phys
ical exertion. On this just basis of settle
ment according to the theory of capital
and labor no strike would ever occur and
miners wages would be maintained in a
alto to the state of civilization.
But the whole trouble is caused by the
introduction of false capital The land con-
tanning coal is allowed to be claimed by
the individuals; coal land is limited and
does not increase, and population increases
and with it the demand for coal and the
supply of laborers; the individual holding
the coal land calls it capital, and raises
the price proportionate to his power to
collect tribute from the community for it's
use; thus the profits of the holder of a
gift of nature to all men Is continually
augmented by the necessities of the people,
while the wages descend by increase of
laborers. and we have as a result the mill
ionaire and coal baron and poverty stricken
starving miners. The mighty of the
law. armed with a club, defending the
mine owners to defraud the people by levy
ing tribute from them, while it pounds the
miner into poverty and slavery. If we are
to ever have justice we must first have
naturalization of land and social owner
ship of franchises. Then there will be no
room for an hypocritical or foolish cry for
arbitration that always robs labor of some
part of it's wages, and leaves it in the
quick sands of lowering grade of civil
iZatiOn.