The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-05
CANCELLATION IN LABOR TROUBLES.


Another great strike is imminent in the
coal regions of Pennsylvania The lesson
of Homestead demonstrated only too well
the ruin worked on all sides by such an
affair, and If the trouble now threaten
ing cannot be prevented, it is high time
for the interested parties to consider
different and better methods of dealing
with each other.
From all that can be learned of the
present situation, the operators are mad
at the miners. and the latter
are mad at the operators, and this
mutual feeling Of anger is given promi-
nence which overshadows to an unneces-
sary extent the actual grievances in
volved. Both sides are In a frame OF
mind which forbids frank discussion of
issues. 'The mine owners ought to be
taught a lesson for their arrogance"
say the miners. 1.-THE miners deserve to
be out of work for their inpudence,'
say the mine owners. Under such con-
dition the prospect for averting a strike
is not very bright. The interest at stake
may be trivial in Itself and readily admit
Of adjustment, but as long as anger and
resentment are kept at the front the de-
mands made might as well be preposter-
Gus as otherwise. It Is a fact that this
angry feeling between employer and en-
ployed has caused more strikes than all
of the real business grievances involved.
It would seem, then, that the first task
before labor leaders and employers is to
institute some scheme of association
which will promote friendliness, frank
ness and manliness in the initial negotia-
lions, and discourage all provocation to
anger on either side. There is such an
association among the Illinois miners
which has been in effect several years,
and the results are so satisfactory that
neither side would think of discarding it.
word-conciliation. Mr.. JUST, who is at
the head of the Illinois Miners associa-
ton, urges his Pennsylvania brethren to
try the plan. In an interview published
the other day he pointed out that there
were only three methods of settling labor
disputes, viz: Strike, arbitration and
Cancellation Mr. JUST summarized these
three methods as follows:
Settlement by strike is simply a reccg-
milton of the supremacy Of intimidation
ana force on the one hand or money and
endurance on the other, and in the con-
fict OF the two it is always might that
frlImnlS 3ltb1IPh IT IL not plainaQd that
right is not sometimes, or often even
on the side Of might, but 1t is only where
might and right happen to be united that
justice prevails.
Settlement by arbitration Is In the
main, a compromise Of interests, each
party thereto yielding something reluct-
establish peaceful relations. at the same
time often securing only half justice to
the party in the contest on whose side
the right is clearly shown.
Settlement by Cancellation (by COM
mission such as we are trying to estab-
nSh) is the Common-Sense application Of
the golden rule to differences arising be-
tween employers and emgloye and diff
ferences so settled arc finally settled, be-
cause such settlement is founded uNon
the side finally conceded to be right"
That the last named plan is by all odds
the best must be conceded when 1t is
understood that If it should fail in any
given case there would be no use of
talking about arbitration. whereas If
arbitration, tried first, should fail. cen
Citation could possibly save the day.
What the Pennsylvania belIigerents need
Is less belligerency and a more kindly
feeling on both sides. 1t is surely worth
while to have such basis for negotia-
tlon when peaceful settlement means the
saving of millions OF dollars in property