The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-14
Should Be Arbitrdted.

/ 1hOAi1 LIZ ~ okOAs
The Post-Intelligencer. while opening
| It's columns freely to the statements Of
| differences between the telephone COM
pany and its employees has refrained
from expressing an editorial opinion In
| the hope and belief that the dispute
would be amicaby adjusted. It's opin-
| ion of the telephone service hitherto
given to the people OF Seattle has been
| stated in no doubtful terms. But It felt
sure that satisfactory solution Of the
troubles attendant upon the telephone
strike would be most easily reached by
temperate action on both sides. without
the acrimony of public discussion.
The progress OF the dispute having
now accomplished little more helpful
than deadlock, the time has come for
public opinion to express itself through
all of Its recognized agencies. We be-
lieve and urge that the telephone strike
should be submitted to arbitration. and
say that the party declining to accept
tHat RippoSitiOI sIhNSly III cTTbT. ana
we are sure that this view Is shared
by almost the entire population OF Sc
attic.
Public opinion has been wrought upon
by influences many and strong. An ex-
ecrsble telephone service, entailing daily
annoyance and business loss. continuing
r,a af tea . an
the point OF outbreak. Public sympa-
thy was touched by the circumstances
of the operators. While women and
girls in AL employments are discrim-
mated against In the matter of wages,
these underpaid and overworked EN-
ployes were I'm the service of company
that enjoyed valuable public franchise.
The consequent inefiiciency of service
was felt TO be at the same time pri-
yate injustice and a public wrong.
These being the circumstances, 1t was
natural and proper that sympathy
should run strongly with an attempt OF
the girls TO organize for the improve
ment OF their condition; for better
wages and moro tolerable hours. And
an interruption OF the service. q descent
from Its former !nsufiicienoy to an
even lower level. removed the last re-
stralnt upon the public temper. The
action of business organizations and
| representative men at the same time
| disclosed the trend OF public Judgment
| and sympathy and offered to the COM
pany means OF adjusting the troubles
| growing out OF the strike. by dealing
with the community az q whole. with
out loss OF dignity.
1t ia unfortunate that the company
has not seen ut to follow this course.
In the respects that we have noted. all
| the merits OF the case were against it,
In larger view Of the whole labor
| question, a great principle Ia against II.
| For reasonable men everywhere are
coming TO agree that all labor disputes
should be settled by arbitration; and
| where the employment is one affected
| with public interest and connected
with a public service. to consent. 20 go
lioi, the submission Of grievances to
arbitration Is a first and imperative
duty. In It's temporizlng with this pro-
/ posai OF our business interests the tel
cphone company ia also In the wrong.
The telephone service in Seattle should
be brought to the level OF efficiency IN
! other cities. The labor imposed upon
the employees % the company should be
! reduced their wages should be lncrsas-
| ed. A new wage schedule WAS approved
yesterday, which goes far TO remove
complaint on that score. Individual
senttmen; and public right are unit.
ed ia these demands and no doubt
| they wim bs complied with even
tnaiiy. As one es the few gains from
/ this unfortunate disagreement between
the company and rs employees For the
/ settlement Of that the company owes IL
( 90 the operators, 10 Itself and to a long
/ suffering community 20 submit the qucs-
I lions at issue 20 arbitration II Il De.
/ cnnes or evAdts that demand, made By
those by 20 means without a right 70
sPe@S ana io interfere, u viii Sersel,
What ,rsatns remnant II public oplRloa
In lis behalf has Survived is past treat
ms0t % its own employees and Of the
/ Seattle public.
/ II has been announced In the house
| OF commons that tenders for LAYING The