Evening star., 1900-09-20
THE GREAT STRIKE
Suggestion That It Was Brought
About by Politicians.
GOSSIP ABOUT ARBITRATION
President McKinIey's Views Ex-
pressed When in the House.
EXTRACTS FROM A SPEECH

The great coal strike in Pennsylvania has
led to much talk that either President Nc
Kinley or W. ]. Bryan might be asked to
arbitrate between the miners and operators
The suggestion has also been made that
the strike was brought about through po-
lftical Vaccinations. In this connection II
IS pointed out that in many quarters the
possible political aspect of the strike IL
now being discussed in all its phases. The
democrats charging the republicans
with unfriendliness to labor, and the re-
pUblicans are claiming that they have al
ways befriended labor, while the democrat
ic record in that line is not creditable to
the party The records Of both Mr. Bryan
and Mr.. Mckinley In regard to the settle
ment of strikes are being looked up, the poll
ticians being desirous of finding something
that would damage one or the other of the
presidential aspirantS. What the result OF
the search will be is not known but re-
publican has across notable speech
made by Mr. Mckinley in 1855. He then
placed himself Oh record as favoring arbi-
tratiGn for the settlement OF both abor and
international disputes.
The Presidents Position
The speech Will be of great interest 1T
this time. Although the President, on ac-
count of his official position would be un-
able to attempt to arbtrate strike him
self or even select arbtrators. his SYM
pathies would probably be strongly in the
direction OF this method of ending a dis
astrous difference between employer and
employe.
. The speech of the President was made In
the House of Representatives, Forty-ninth h
Congress, on April 2 1856. 1t was delivered
during the consideration of the bill lH r.
'1'U TO provide for the speedy settlement
OF controversies and differences between
common carriers engaged in interstate and
territorial transportation of property and
passengers and their employees
Mr. McKinley's Speech
In addressing the House MIR. Mckinley
said:
Mr.. Chairman: l rise to oppose the
amendment Of the gentleman from Ken
lucky CMr. Brecknridge). The whole pur-
pose OF the amendment is to destroy what
ever good results may be expected from
the passage of this bill. and / can readily
see why a gentleman who is opposed to this
system of settling differences between en-
ployer and employe should offer the amend
ment which Is here proposed
am opposed to the amendment be-
cause ! believe in the principle and tend
elcT OF the bill. 1t confers no rights or
privileges touching arbitration which are
not now enjoyed by common carriers and
those engaged in their service. 1t leaves
them where it finds them, with the right
OF voluntary arbitration. to settle their
differences through a peaceful and orderly
tribunal of their own selection. IT only fol-
lows the principle recognized in many
states of the Union, notably in Ohio and
Massachusetts, and gives national sanction
ana encouragement TO mode of settlement
OF grievances between employer and en-
ploye which is approved by the best judg-
ment of the country and the enlightened
sentiment OF all civilized peoples. While
the bill does not compel arbitration, its
passage here will not be without influence
as a legislative suggestion III commencing
the principle to both capital and labor as
the best and most economic way of compos-
ing differences and settling dSagreements,
which experience has uniformly shown, in
the absence of an amicable adjustment, re-
suits In loss 10 all classes of the commun-
ity, and to none more than the workingmen
themselves. If by the passage of this
simple measure arbitration as a system
shall be aided TO the slightest extent or
advanced in private or public favor, or II
IT shall serve to attract the thoughtful at
tentiOn of the people TO the subject, much
will have been accomplished for the good
order of our communities and for the wei
fare and prosperity of the people. / am in
favor of this bill for what II is. and only
for what it is. II does not undertake to do
impossible things or cross the line OF
safety ] will regret if 1t shall deceive
anybody; and If it is the purpose of any
body to make believe that it's passage is a
cure for the evils and discomfort which per-
wade society, / must diSclaim now any part
or share III such purpose or expectation,
for il will not and cannot and nobody sup
poses ii will. II simply provides that when
the railroad companies operating through
two or more states or in the territories, and
their employees shall agree upon and con-
Gent to an arbitration. this bill will aid. en-
courage and assist the parties concerned to
get at the truth, to probe to the bottom, as
certain the facts of the situation, by which
the board will be enabled to act intelli-
gently and justly to all interests involved.
This Is the whole Of 1t in scope and extent,
and it cannot and will not deceive any one.
Eject of Arbitration.
1T is said there is no way to enforce the
judgment of the arbitrators, and therefore
il Is nullity. l have the least concern on
that score / have no fear that, after the
railroad corporation and Its employees have
united in an arbitration. its judgment will
be disobeyed not acquiesced in as final
and conclusive.
Neither will I venture in the absence
of fraud to ignore the award of a tribunal
of their own selection. III which both have
voluntarily confided for the settlement of
their differences. We need borrow no trouble
on that account. Refusal to obey the judg-
ment of the arbitration would be the eX-
ception and not the rule, and an award hon
estly reached Will be sacredly observed.
Nor am l troubled because there is no COM
pusion to arbitrate in the first instance.
Either party provided for in the bill, be-
Heving it has genuine grievance and in
viting the other to arbitrate, will occupy
a vantage ground which the other cannot
long successfully defy. There is a sense of
fair play among the people which. when
crystallized into public Judgment, IL as po-
tent-aye, more potent-than statute or
judicial decree. No railroad corporation, no
labor union. no body of laborng men could
long hold out against fair and equitable
demand. backed by a willingness to submit
the justice of that demand to q board of
competent arbitrators In any view there is
no harm in trying this experiment. and In
this effort small and inconseuuential as it
may seem to be- ] am confident we are NOV
ing In the right direction and that nothing
but good can result.
There is another feature Of this bill