The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-10-17
Arbitration DISCUSSED.


He holds that compulsory arbitration is
impracticable because there is no way Of
enforcing the DEGREES Of the tribunal, and
on the theory that 1t would invade per-
sonaI liberty. And yet ne admits that it
would be an incalculable blessing If
practicable. He says:
1 am not prepared to say that there
may not be some notifications Of this
stern principle which 1 oppose so thor
Ouglly, if it can be made practical There
is no man in this room-there is no man
in this cOuntry-there IS no man in the
great five or six manufacturing nations
of the world be he employer or employe
that would not welcome any system Of
arbitration, whether voluntarily or COM
pulsory, that would surely settle the
great Industrial warfares which we have
seen come up at certain times.
There is no one who would not welcome
any system of arbitration which would
bring industrial peace and prosperity.
Another most interesting presentation
of fact and opinion was made by Charles
H Walcott, chairman of the state board
of arbitration of Massachusetts. He
pointed out the beneficial effects Of the
Massachusetts system. both in preventing
strikes and in setting them after they
have begun. lie predicted the settlement
of the New Bedford strike through the
good offices of the board. And yet he
does not accept compulsory arbitration
though his logic would seem TO de-
mand it:
Arbitration and Cancellation have not
accomplished all that was desired, or all
that might have been reasonably hoped
for. But for dealing with our neighb1rs
and fellow-citizens the remedy. to say
the least of it. is pleasanter and cheaper
than the use Of bayonets or Calling guns.
In each year for the last eight years
their natural and Christian methods have
settled controversies for the adjustment
Of which no other tribunal was provided.
Can so much be said of any other meth
cd? If you have a dispute with your
neighbor about a boundary, or If your
land has been taken by a railroad COM
pany and the question Of amount Of dam
ages is the only thing to be determined,
you may very likely. as a practical man,
agree to leave the decision of the matter
to three honest, disinterested men. If
your neighbOr is also your emplOye and
the question of wages arises there is no
reason in the nature of things why the
same course should not be resorted TO.
If il Is good thing to do in the one
1 do not stand here as an advocate Of
compulsory arbitration-that may posi-
bly, come in some form in the future, al
though 1 doubt the feasibility of ft-but
whatever the future may decree for us,
it becomes us to rate at its proper value
voluntary arbitration backed up by intel
ligent public opinion. When the principle
Of voluntary arbitration has had a full
and fair trial by all parties interested
it will be time enough to consider the
a lNrie = of IN
laws. AT present 1 am u firm believer in
the power of public opinion alone to en-
force the recommendations and decisions
in an advisory state board, such as we
have in MaSSac huSettS, and he is a bold
man 70 undertake to act in defiance or
neglect Of that opinion or to underrate its
impeliing force whenever the right is
made to appear.
Mr.. NJ. J. Carroll, editor of the Eight
Hour Herald. stood for compulsory arbi-
tratlon. The following shows the line of
his thought:
Voluntary arbitration is correct in prin-
ciple, but difficult of application. The
stronger party to the controversy viii
refuse to submit to such a method, and
the rapid introduction of iabOr-savins ma
chinery, business depressi0ns. unrestrict
ed immigration and other causes have
established conditions where the laborer
can no longer be regarded as the stronger
party. i was the refusal of the employer
TO submit the question at issue to arbi-
tratiOn that led to the strikes at Home
stead and Pullman, and which is also re-
spOnSible for the prolonged strike of $4,000
coal miners in Scotland now in progress.
Numerous instances might be cited Show
ing the advantages of voluntary arbitra-
ton, where both parties enter into the
negotiations in a spirit of fairness. 1 will
content myself with brief reference to
one case which has taken place under my
own observation here in Chicago.
The cOmpositors and publishers of the
Chicago newspapers found great difficulty
in adjusting the scale of prices incident
to the great fluctuations in prices occur
ring during and following the civil war
Finally arbitration was suggested and
was put TO its practical test here in 1878
The result was a peaceful settlement Of
the dispute at issue, besides directing
general attention TO this mode of settling |
contentious. the upshOt being that arbi-
tration was Incorporated in the constitu-
ton of the printers union as a funda-
mental principle, always advocated by |
this class of the workers. Now and for |
many years back al disputes occur |
ring on the daily papers here are referred |
to a regularly constituted board of arbi- |
tration, composed of an equal number
Of representatives from both sides, who |
have far succeeded in preventing |
strikes and lOckOuts. 1t has been noted |
that the decisions or the board rarely |
gave entire satisfaction to both sides, but |
they have been accepted by all as far |
preferable TO a strike and certainly more |
equitable. l would favor the en- |
actment Of national arbitration |
law with such penalties attached |
for noncompliance as can safe |
ly be adopted without abridging or inter |
fering with the constitutional rights and |
liberties of the citizen, nor with the rights |
and liberties of the community which is |
OF the first and greatest Importance. |
would also favor the adoption of state |
boards of conci,iation and arbitration, |
these to be supplemented by 81 n efforts |
as will be thought necessary to create a |
patriotic sentiment in favor of a broad |
and liberal compliance with the law. In |
short, L believe that almost any law will !!
answer the purpose, provided that il is /
backed up by a public sentiment strong |
enough to compel recognition. The work. |
ingman can be relied upon to favor any /
r reasonable course that will aid in estab- |
fishing industrial peace. The essence of |
his desire Is "a fair days pay for a fair |
days work"
Extemporaneous remarks were made by |
some other speakers. and all. without re-
gard TO the remedy they deemed desirable, |
conceded the lamentable evil of our pres
emit methods of dealing with labor trou-
bles. And what is more remarkable it |
is stated that those present commended |
all the speeches made. In fact, reason
-