The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-19

According to the testimony of James NJ
Gilbert. Chairman of the State Board OF
Mediation and Arbitration of New York
who appeared yesterday before the In
dustrial Commission, the chief cause OF
all the labor troubles in the United States
is the refusal, or rather unwillingness. OF
employers to recognize trades unions and
labor organizations. His testimony on
the subject of strikes was attentively lis
tened to by members of the Commission,
and it was apparent tnat Mr.. Gilbert had
made an impression. Commenting on the
relation existing between employers and
employees, Mr.. Gilbert said:
Capitalists and employers are opposed tc
the organization of labor in trades unions
and only tolerate their existence because
they are powerless to prevent them. The
reason for this opposition to unionism is
that the employer recognizes the fact that
the employees who act individually in their
efforts TO secure higher wages or better
conditions of employment are at decided
disadvantage as compared with those who
are sustained by union of individual in
terests.
Many of those who give employment
to labor absolutely refuse to consider any
thing but their own interests and will
recognize no rights of the workingman.
In this way there is only one party to the
case and the capitalist is supreme.
Sometimes" witnesS said, strikes
are brought about by unwise leadership
on the part of the workingmen. but such
strikes, however, are rare, and are not
witness gave it as bis opinion. based on
observation, that if more cordially ex-
listed between the employer and employe
there would be less trouble with the
workingman and fewer strikes.
Capital" Mr.. Gilbert said, "is in
clined to be selfish, and to treat labor as
it does the raw material upon which it
works. There seemed to be-" he said.
total lack OF sympathy between capital
and labor The best method to settle all
disputes between capital and labor" he
said. SIS arbitration. Agreements tnade
by arbitration are generally kept by both
parties. The settlement OF. differences by
arbitration TO avoid strikes presuppcsss
the right of labor to organize, and also
labor's right to know the facts concern.
ing the true condition OF the trade which
may be involved. u is always difficult"
the witness said, ITO get capital to arbi-
trate, because capital would invariably
insist on debating its own terms
In reply to question. the witness SAID
there should be compulsory arbitration.
and added Labor is generally willing
to concede to any reasona BILE demand, and
by having compulsory arbitration capital
would be required to do the same"
The witness said he thought each State
should have a board of arbitration. the
board to be composed OF equal repre-
sentation from labor unions and the cap
italists. BY giving such a board final
authority in all strikes it would. the wit
ness believed. put an end to most OF the
labor troubles. Referring to the number
of strikes in New York during the past
three years, Mr.. Gilbert said:
There was an increase OF 10 per cent
in the number of strikes In 1899 over 1893.
and in .he current year the proportion
has been about the same" The witness
said that in each case the laborers were
compelled to strike for either higher
wages or shorter hours. This was done,
he said. because capital was enjoying an
advance in price for commodities. which
il was not willing to share with lab>r-
Hon II. H. Lusk. former member of
the New Zealand Parliament, will appear
before the Industrial Commission tn S
morning and tell about the labor cond:-
tions in his country