The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-18
DISCUSSION OF INDUSTRIES.
LABOR AND NEGRO QUESTIONS DE-
BATED AT CHATTANOOGA.

question as to whether Satisfactory
Laws Can BE Passed for the Adj
iustment of Labor Problems-The
strike and Boycott Qucstaons-The
Race Problem ALSO Gone Into by
sneakers Who Relieve Industrial
Education Is the Proper solution
chattanooga, Tenn, May 17.-Imme-
diately after the meeting Of the Southern
industrial Convention this morning, Pres
iaent MacCorkle rendered his resigna ton
because of pressing business engagements,
and Hon H. H. Hargrove of New Or
leans, was elected.
President Hargrove at once addressed
himself to the business of the convention,
and introduced j. w. Faxon of Chatta-
nooga, who opened the subject of Com
oulsory Arbitration in the Settlement of
differences Between Laborers and En-
ployers." The following are extracts
from Mr. Faxons speech:
Every American citizen should be a
Jealous patriot; devoted to his country,
and its established order or custom; all
uphoder of it's laws, and a sustainer of
its civil policy-those avowed honest prin-
ciples which lie at the foundation of all
human institutions.
Investigation proves that there has
been no perfect unity in the combining
of the laboring classes. The madcaps of
their organizations, frequently taking into
their own hands, troubles that arise, and
utterly fail by endeavoring to bring about
an individual agreement with the en-
ployer When this course occurs, it is
almost an impossibility for these two
conflicting bodies to concur in anything
that is reasonable. Strikes, lockouts, or
bovcotts are the natural sequence. Stub
Il boruness is the foundation of these dis
agreements, and the public and individ-
uaIs suffer from the burden of their con-
tenuons.
as this permissible in a governmen that
4 D etsnds to protect the rights of the peo-
plg? Are those quarrels and chickering's,
frequently ending in the disruption of all
4 business interests, and sometimes in muir
DER and arson, to be tolerated merely
from the face that two contending forces
n have no means CT arbitrating their differ
edces? Is it not absurd to- suppose for an
instant, that the employer viii permit
committee from the labor organizations
t dictate terms of peace to him? Would
the laboring man listen to Cancellation,
coming from the friends of their employ
e.? How can such matters be settled I'M
less we resort to compulsory arbitration?
The legal authorization of a board of
arbitration, in order that there may be a
way established, compulsory if necessary,
4 to adjust these differences, would be not
only a happy solu ion of these vexed
4 Qus s.ions, but step toward placing the
q working man and his employer upon a
more elevated plane
Matters to LeGisIate About.
Il while no board of arbitration, and no
q legislative body would have the right TO
establish rate of wages for workmen,
a o. fix the price of manufactured articles,
for the reason that they are both gov
8 erned by the law of supply and demand,
g or 10 compel the employer to employ, or
the workman to work, there ere 50 many
a supposed or real grievances. or causes for
difference, arising between the employer
n and employed. that an authorized board of
Isl arbitration should have a institutional
81 right to interfere and to compel as an
n ultimate means of relief, an anicable set
81 tement These objections are such as in
81 terfere with the rights of the people and
are named under the rulings of the United
81 States Commissioner of Labor at Washin-
81 Ton, which are fOllows
The right of employees to refuse to work
81 either singly or in combina ton, except
upon terms and conditions satisfactory 10
Isl themselves, is balanced by the right of
employers to refuse to engage the services
Of anyone for any reason they deem
Isl proper"
& The rights of employees TO refuse to
work, either singly or in combination ex-
cept upon terms and conditions satisfac-
M tory TO themselves, Is balanced by the
M fght OF employers to retlse to engage the
services OF any one, for any reason, they
l 0eem proper. This is a principle fixed by
law. There can be no effective law pass
E ed that can compel any man or body Of
men 10 work for fixed wages.
Tie appointment of a compulsory board
ia Of arbitration should be made from men
| ont of politics. and in no way connected
ia with the employer or the employed The
n Welfare and prosperity OF our whole coun-
|# ty depends to a certain extent, upon the
E# harmony and peaceful relations, existing
nH1een an employer and the employed.
II railroad lines, the most important arte-
res of trade; bodies corporate, created by
me state, principally for the benefit and
convenience of the public, can be blocked,
IA 10 the detrirent of the business interests
o. NE country, at the mere say-so of few
osgrunled workmen, or the unjust rulings
ol the rsilroad companies. innocent people,
Ill especially those engaged in commerce, will
suffer the heaviest pecuniary loss.
Inc employer has equally the right to
strike against the arrogant authority of
labor organization, as the employe has
10 strike, for any cause he may name,
against the corporation or firm he has con-
facted to work for.
Where will these strikes end unless the
la"-makirg power OF the country comes
70 the rescue? Where does the law-giv-
ing power rest but in the hands of the
people? How long will the people submit
10 such a stigma upon a nation which
poses before the world as a free and en-
IsWened government, where every man
supposed to be protected in his indivld-
ual rights"
zen John T. Wilder of Knoxville fol-
owed Mr.. FaXou. Gen. Wilder did not
oelieve that laws could be framed 10 give
satisfaction that attempted to enforce the
se'.lement of questions between employer
ana employe. He doubted whether arbi-
Uduon laws would ever be enforced be-
way
Compulsory Arbitration.
Inc discussion of the question was con-
nued by n. f. Thompson, of Huntsville,
Tno spoke on Compulsory Arbitration"
&d.css: