The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-10-05
cuNrlLlArloN AND ARBITRATION.

The public Is not so much concerned
in the rights involved in the present
issues between capital and labor in the
Pennsylvania coal fields as in the fact
that these issues are permitted to be-
come disturbing elements in the natural
course Of trade. II they were confined
to individual establishments the matter
might be one Of Indifferent concern; but
when a considerable portion of great
industry is unsettled thereby the dis
turbanee assumes phases concerning
whose development and outcome the
people are deeply solicitous.
1t is clearly evident that public opln-
ion has been crystallizing as to the ne
cessity Of instituting some method of
healing or preventing labor dlssenslons.
or Of recognizing some principle that
can meet popular support, as presenting
elements Of justice under present indus
trial conditions. This is seen in ma
tional and state laws, and in the re-
concentrations Of national and state
executives. These are the discernible
signs of public opinion as it is govern
ed by the visible trend Of events. Con-
ciliation is recognized. practically ev-
erywhere, as the ideal principle that
should govern the settlement Of differ
ences between the employer and his
employees. The best mode for effecting
this remains still undetermined. and
must. to a great extent, be left to cir
cumstances peculiar to each trade or to
those governing the operations of each
establishment. Should such efforts at
concillation fail. then some satisfactory
provision for arbitration or the submits
sion of the matter in controversy to a
referee may be ,aken advantage of, and
the productive forces Of capital and lab
or NAV thus go on uninterrupted in
their efficacy.
Whatever plan is submitted for the
settlement of labor troubles. it must re-
cognize the peculiar temperaments Of
human nature that have to be dealt
with. Hence the great difficulty that is
Inevitably encountered in the precise
application Of any method that is cir
cumscribed in its operations, or at all
compulsory in its character. The near
er the employer and his employees can
get together under arrangements Of
their own, without the Intervention Of
third party, the better; and the un-
derstanding that may be reached would
thus be more lasting and satisfactory
All plans of eoncillation or arbltra-
tior thus far adopted, it should be re-
membered, are still tentative, however
we'll some Of them may have fulfilled
their mission. The one that has met
with growing favor is embodied in the
agreement that was made last March
between the National Metal Trades As
sociation and the International Associa-
tion Of Machlnists. accepting the prin-
ciples Of arbitration in the settlement Of
labor contentious instead Of lockouts
and strikes. 1t provides that in all dis
putes arising between members of these
respective organizations (that is. an
employer and his employes) every rea-
sonable effort shall be made by both
parties to effect satisfactory adjust
ment; failing In this, either party shall
have the right to ask it's reference to
committee of arbitration. This shall
consist Of the presidents Of the two or
ganizations, or their representatives,
and two other representatives from
each organization appointed by their
respective presidents The findings Of
this committee Of arbitration by ma
ority vote shall be considered final as
regards the particular case at issue.
Pending adjudication, there shall be no
cessation Of work at the instance Of
either party to the dispute. It will be
noted that all provision for a referee
is eliminated, and that, if a deadlock
should result, then the question must re-
main unsettled. On the other hand,
should majority decision be reached.
1t is sure to be satisfactory and stand
so long as conditions remain the same.
The National Founders Association