Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-10-14
TIE oursTIoN OF ARBITRATION.

In his speech before the Union League
Club Of Chicago the other day on the
subject Of arbitration, Mr.. CARROLL d.
WRIGHT, United States Commissioner
OF Labor, made some very pleasing
observations, in which, however, he
steered clear Of the most important
points OF the subject. Mr.. WRIGHT
was not expected to publicly discuss
questions affecting railroads, as he has
lately been investigating the Pullman
strike as o member OF the board APP
pointed for that purpose, and has not
yet reported; so he confues himself to
arbitration OF labor disputes in produc-
tive industries.
Mr. WRIGHT is decidedly opposed to
compulsory arbitration. He pointed
out very clearly that it must be equally
binding upon both parties. This
means that worSingmen may be
compelled 10 work for wages which
they believe insufficient. II il were
practicable to compel men TO work,
when they are unwilling, for specified
wage, it would mean industrial slavery
and il is not necessary to discuss this
proposition further in a land Of free
dom. 1t is obvious that the execution
Of any law which involved such COM
pulsion, even it IT'S enactment we're pos
slble, would be attended with insur-
mountable difficulties.
Mr.. WRIGHT shows also that the en-
iorcement Of the DEGREES OF compulsory
arbitration against the employer would
be equally out OF the question; that il
an employer were compelled 10 pay
rate Of wages which would make his
products too costly to be sold in the
market, il would lead inevitably to his
ruin. II he refused to pay the wages
prescribed, it would be necessary 70 en-
force compliance By the seizure aud sale
Of bis property. Ia any event, it would
involve confScatiOn in some form, and
the destruction Of the industry. This
is but another way Of saying that law
is powerless TO compel an employer per-
manently to pay wages which be does
not earn, or does not want TO paw.
On this branch of the subject Mr..
WRIGHT is clear and strong, but on the
other matters his position is not so in
telligible. He says truly that there are
considerations lying back Of the cues
ton Of arbitration, some Of which in
volve the right OF property itself. Then
he alludes to the parable Of the laoorers
in the vineyard, and quotes: ais it not
lawful for me to do what 1 will with
mine own?" Ia his comments upon this
Mr.. WRIGHT is not quite clear, but II we
understand him he is inclined TO dissent
from the doctrine OF the Savior OF man
kind. He says the answer to the ques'
ton propounded by the owner Of the
vineyard is going to be: mo, if
you iujure your neighbours standard
OF living" 1t need hardly be
said that such q rule as this is utterly
impracticable, and would lead to cOnse-
ouencss more disastrous, II that be pos
sible, than compulsory arbitration. II
private property can only be enjoyed
upon condition that the standard OF
living Of other people shall be kept up
TO the desired point, it can not be enjoy
ed st all. 1t is simply proposition TO
abolish poverty, which is as nonssns-
zeal, visionary and intangible as the
theories OF Gerr MosE.
Mr.. WRIGHT ade another assertion
which is quite too astoundingly optim
istic to pass unchallenged There is
not an employer" he said, that have
met in my life that would not be glad
10 increase wages il he could, and there
is not a workingman whom know who
is not willing TO do good, honest ser
vice for good, honest days pay"
II Mr. WRIGHT has met only employ
ers aud employees Of this sort he is 10 be
regarded as fortunate indeed in his in
tercourse with capital and labor. Other
men, however, have NOS been so iortu-
nate, and with them it is an every day
matter to meet employers that will not
raise wages under any circumstances,
however able they may be, unless they
are obliged to do SO in order to secure
the labor desired. They also frequently
meet employees who are quite willing to
take all the pay they can get without
rendering any equivalent. If all the
employers and all the wOrkmen were
such as Mr.. WRIGHT describes, there
would be no need of arbitration of any
sort.