Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-02-14
INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION.

ACSoA ~ AhNCkVoos LILO uONCiOpulOht
of industries brings new complications
constantly. brings into play different
set of of elements. economic and
ethical, and of course differences of
opinion will constantly and ever arise.
There is, therefore l repeat, no one
method and no series of methods which
can be adopted to entirely do away
with such controversies, nor, in fact
would it be desirable, could such re.
suits be accomplished. Progress de-
ponds upon mental friction, upon
discussion, and upon the general adop-
ton of improved processes, etc, etc.
The constant effort of industry to
adapt itself to these improvements and
changes creates of itself an ever shift
ing labor question.
The most effective method, however,
of reducing the the severity of labor
controversies and of reducing their
number, too, lies in the people involv-
ed. If they are willing to meet each
other on business basis and consider
the variety of differences which come
between them, they can, if they will
and if they are men of sufficient moral
character, adjust all such matters
without strikes and lockouts. If they
are not willing to do this, the State
has some rights in the matter, and can
furnish the means by which some con
troversies can be adjusted. This can
be done through the method known as
industrial Cancellation and arbitration
Arbitration has been called at times
the coupling" between labor and CAPT
tai. This definition does not cover the
case, it seems to me. 1t is more pro-
perly the "buffer" between the two
forces, preventing damage and a crush.
If it were a coupling as alleged by
many, it would effectually unite labor
and capital; if it is buffer it prevents
clash, and at the same time enables the
two forces to get along together.
The principles underlying are both
economic and ethical. They are econo-
mic in the sense that they prevent
waste of energy. waste of funds, losses
in various directions, and preserve the
integrity of industrial enterprises;
they are ethical in the sense that they
adjust the moral relations of men on a
fair and equitable basis, recognizing
the rights of each in the adjustment.
contend that ethics can have little or
no weight in economic directions, and
would advocate the passage Of bills re
strictlng or extending certain cOndi-
tions. Whenever law is enacted
which in any way restricts or extends
the conditions of trade, commerce or
ethical III its effect, because it iniu-
ences, regulates. and establishes the
relations of men to each other and to
society. Whenever it occurs, however
it occurs, it is ethical. SO industrial
arbitration, the moment it comes into
play, whether through The voluntary
action of the parties involved in a
controversy or through the efforts OF
the State, commits the State to ethical
action. There should be no antagonism
to such ethical action on the part of the
State, because the whole machinery OF
the courts, every action of the govern
ment relative to the settlement of any
difficulties, controversies or claims, is
an ethical action in its influences and
in it's results. Arbitration is no more
than this, except it be impolitic and, to
my mind, impossible for the State to
indulge in any methods of arbitration
along compulsory lines. 1t can and
should establish the machinery to
which parties can resort for the settle
ment of their difficulties, butt should
not make such resort compulsory, nor
should it compel the enforcement of
the award of a board.
The chief value of industrial arbi-
tration, it seems to me, lies in pro
vision for board, permanently estab-
lished, to take immediate action, from
its own motive, in all great labor con-
troversies, so that the facts may be
brought to the attention of the public
and the responsibility for the difficulty
fixed by official action. 1t does not
seem wise to wait for fight to be on
before board is established. In such
cases there must be more or less parti-
sanship-not of a political nature al
ways, but of a nature which partakes
of interest in one or the other of the
parties engaged. A permanent board
would avoid this and secure the other
benefit of having tribunal ready to
act at a moments notice. AS it has
been expressed by Mr.. Kingston, Pre-
mier of South Australia, in an exceed
ingly able and interesting article on
arbitration, government might as
well wait for confagration to occur
before organizing its fare department