Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-11-23

the laws of supply and demand. AS we
have shown, there Is no longer any |
competitive demand among the "a rail-
roads at Chicago for switchmen. They
have ceased competing with each
other; they are no longer "a separate
and competing employers; they are vir-
tually one. However men may differ
about the propriety and legality of labor
unions, we must all recognize the fact
that we have them with us to stay. 1t
is not wise to fully recognize them by
law, to admit their necessity as labor
guides and protectors, increase their re-
sponsibility and prevent their follies
and aggressiuns by comforting upon
them the privileges enjoyed by corpora
tions, with like proper restrictions and
regulations.
CORPORATE POWERS GROWTH.
"The growth of corporate power and
wealth has been marvel of the past
five years. The corporations have I'M
doubtedly benefited the country and
brought it's resources to our doors. 1t
will not be surprising II the marvel of
| the next so years will be the advance
ment of labor to position of like pow
| cr and responsibility. We have hereto
| fore encouraged one and neglected the
other. Does not wisdom demand that
each be encouraged to prosper legiti-
mately and to grow into harmonious
relations of equal standing and re-
sponsibility before the law? This in
wolves nothing hostile to the true inter-
ests and rights of either. The COM
mission considers the recommendations
of specific remedies premature. Should
continued combinations and consolida-
tions result In half dozen or less own
erships of our railroads within few
years, as Is by no means unlikely, the
questions of government ownership
would be forced to the front and we
need to be ready to dispose of 1t in
diligently.
THE REMEDY.
1.-The commission recommends that
there will be permanent United States
strike commission of three members
! with duties and powers of investigation
, and recommendation as to disputes be
: tween railways and their employees
+ similar to those invested in the inter
state commerce commission as to rates
etc That as in interstate commerce
power be given to United States courts
| to compel railways to obey the decis
ions of the commission and that NJ
delays in obeying the decisions of tn
commission be allowed pending appeals
That whenever the parties to a con
: troversy in matter within the jurisdiC
I ton of the commission are one or NOR
I railroads ON ofie side and one or NOR
: national trade unions Incorporated un
. der charter 567 of the United State
> statutes of 1885 or interstate statute
y each shall have the right to select
= representative, who shall be appoint
. ed by the president to serve as a tempo
rary member of the commission i
- hearing, adjusting and determinin
n that particular controversy.
T. THAT during the tendency of pre-
&c ceedings before the commission inaus
" urated by national trade unions or b
l. an incorporation of employees 1t sha
not be lawful for railroads to discharl
employees belonging thereto except Il
~, inefficiency, violation of law or ne,
lect of duty; nor for such unions durir
:. the tendency to order. unite. aid
al abet strikes or boycotts against the raj
'e ways complained of, nor for such raj
n roads to discharge any such employ
h. in whose place others shall be employe
A. except for the causes aforesaid; n
ut for any such employees during iii
r period to quit the service without gi
is ing 80 days written notice of intenti'
u.s. to do so. That the statutes of 1885,
IN be amended SO as to require nation
to trade unions to provide in their ar
hit cles of Incorporation that membe
y, shall cease to be such and forfeit {
n rights and privileges conferred on hi
a by law as such by participating In
N, by insagaing for force or violence.
he "rhe commission would suggest co
le' sideration by states of the adoption
ng some system of Cancellation and arl
o. tration like that, for instance In Mas
er achusetts. Contracts requiring men n
II to join labor organizations, or to lea
N them as conditions of employmei
Ell should be made illegal, as is alrea
20, done in some of our states. The co
as mission urges employers to recogn
20 labor organizations, that such organ
30 atoms be dealt with through represC
tatives with special reference to CO
Citation and arbitration when ditllc
he ties are threatened or arise.