St. Paul daily globe., 1894-04-30
DISPUTES OF LABOR.


DISPUTES OF LABOf.
The existing ferment IN labor circles
calls for the wisest and most deliberate
consideration on.the part of our author
tiles, both state and national. In
country like this that boasts its intelli-
gence and civilization, labor strikes
should be unheard of. They are evi-
dences of barbarism-of the days when
brute force was the ruling power; of
the days when feudal lords eXacted
tribute of their vassais, and the latter
could only obtain measure of justice
by a resort to armed resistance. Al
though we have made progress in the
centuries that have elapsed since the
dominance Of feudalism, have gained
little in the wisdom necessary to the
solution of the problem of the relation
of the classes towards each other. Bar
ba,ism still predominates. The rich
ahd powerful still make use of the in
struments of oppression upon their
weaker fellow beings. and the latter,
when endurance ceases to be virtue
or when they think that time has ar
rived-employ force toeXtort from their
masters the justice which is tn cir right
For all strikes are violent. Bloodshed
may be absent, but the element of force
and coercion is at the basis of them all.
And in majority of cases the employ
ers are every whit as much to blame as
are those who array themselves in the
hostile camp. They are often arbitrary,
unreasoning and dictatorial, refusing to
listen to reason, and depending upon
starving their rebellious employees into
submission.
The courts at law as at present esIab-
lished furnish no adequate protection
for either the employers or the en-
ployed. In Illinois the conspiracy
law is employed by the bosses to intlm-
idate their men. This law declares
illegal all mbinations of men organ
lied for the purpose of extorting from
others by means akin to Intimidation
that which they shall refuse to grant
upon request. The labor unions come
under the ban of this law, and have
been somewhat crippled in their pur-
pose as a consequence. But the com.
binations of employers are also illegal
within the meaning Of the same statute,
and recently the labor unions succeeded
in turning the tables upon their ad-
versaries in very salutary manner.
Courts OF arbitration for the settle
ment of labor disputes have been estab-
lished in several OF the states, but the
chief difficulty is that there is no law
compelling a resort to them. In Penn
sylvania courts of this character were
established some ten years ago. They
are occasionally appealed to. but as a
rule the strike is the final arbiter.
But whenever disputes have been sub
mltted TO these tribunals the results
have been highly satisfactory. Much
has been saved to both of these classes
by avoiding Il suspension of activity.
But these courts are not popular with
either class. They generally recon-
| mend compromise. and such course is
seldom satisfactory, each party insist
ing upon the full measure of its de-
| mands. The courts of conciliation es-
tablished in North Dakota have proved
| satisfactory in some communities, but
are suitable only in few communities
where the population is homogeneous
and all Interests hinge upon each other.
These tribunals would hardly suffice for
the settlement of the graver problems
| that occasionally bring labor and capi-
! tai into conflict.
| The Pennsylvania plan is we'll de-
vised, and it is sincerely to be regretted
that it is not generally applied. The
| law needs amendment so that appeal to
it shall be compulsory in all cases of
| disagreement. 1t is less expensive
method of settlement than by means of
strike. In nlne-tenths of the cases
strikes result to the injury of the work
| ingmen. Carroll ID. Wright, commits
| sioner of labor. has collected statistics
which show this most emphatically
But the general loss, avoidable it arbi.
tration was in vogue, falls heavily upon
both sides. Manufacturers lose by the
suspension Of the output of their fac
tories, and their employees lose their
| wages, which in most instances more
than counterbalauceS the advantages
they would gain if their demands were
invariably successful.
1t is sincerely to be hoped that some
means may be mutually agreed upon
whereby the recurrence Of labor strikes
may be avoid ed. They invariably re-
suit in loss to all the parties concerned
they invariably stir up bad feeling
among those who should work in har-
mony for mutual benefit. From an
economic point of view they are dis.
astrous, and they are, besides, con.
slant menace to the peace of the com.
munity and to the stability and pros
perty of trade. Sometimes the de.
mands of labor are excessive; often the
requirements of the employers are arbi
trary and unjust. Some means should
be devised to strike the happy mean
which shall deal equitably with both
parties. and the time is not far distant
when the matter will call for the most
careful consideration of our ablesl
statesmen.
The presidential election which take:
place in France in November will not be
opoptc n tf,ic oop,,