The weekly examiner., 1901-06-01
BLESSED BE THE PEACE
 MAKERS D

pastor of one of it's Baptist churches
 and close and sympathetic student of
 industrial and political efforts for hu-
 man betterment, came forward / this
 week as a mediator between the manu-
 facturers and their striking workmen.
 After going over the circumstances and
 conditions leading up to the strike in
 a very clear, concise, able and impar-
 tial manner, he essays the following basis of agreement demand for
 the nine-hour day at the present days
 wages being conceded and only the matter of the recognition of the union being in dispute:-, L. .e In case any individual in the en- ploy of this company feels himself az grieved, the company agrees to grant him an impartial hearing If he should be dissatisfied with the decision of the company, committee shall be appoint ed, upon request of majority of the employees of the company, to render judgment upon the matter at issue
 This committee shall consist of two persons selected by the company, two
 selected by the employees of the com pany, and a fifth unanimously chosen by these four. The decision of the committee shall be final This agree ment shall not be interpreted to limit in any way the right of the company to dismiss any man from it's employ whenever it deems best, but the com pany agrees to submit the reasons for his discharge, upon request of ma l jOrity of the men in it's employ and to give preference always to those who
 are recommended for employment by a
 majority of the men in it's employ In support of this MT. Dixon says: Would not that be reasonable agree
 ment? Would it not remove every
 cause of friction? Would it not leave
 the employer absolutely free to conduct
 his business according to his own judg-
 ment? Would it not establish con-
 tract between the employer and his men
 that would prove mutually advanta-
 geous? It would open no way for dic-
 tation to the employer from his work ingmen. It would guarantee to the Iworkin ngman absolutely fair treatment z linen he says to the manufacfureTss: This, gentlemen, I suggest as a basis of settlement of the present difficulties I believe that the workingmen of this city would accept it as the ground of permanent industrial peace. :.
 Their sense of fairness would compel them to do so. If they would refuse
 it they utterly forfeit their claim to
 public sympathy and invite inevitable
 defeat The appreciation of
 the public which would be gained by
 such action on your part would not be
 a tangible asset, but to men of your
 character it would be a grateful mem ory' for years to come"
 Deliberating on the matter seriously
 should lead the thoughtful workman to believe that the Rev MT. Dixon's compromise was about the only alter
 native left to an indefinite and dis astrous struggle, no matter which side may be declared the winner" The
 employer should recognize that the
 workman is in possession of spirit
 that hates to surrender position once
 taken. And the workman should real
 ize the same in the employer. The chagrin of defeat is the only thing that
 keeps them apart. A compromise would
 obviate this. There would then be no feeling of humiliation galling the heart of either party, and the public at large
 would have gained substantially all
 they sought for, and the employers would have shown that the concession made wasn't altogether involuntary. If the men fear that there are afterclaps to come against them if the whole measure of their demands be not grant ed, let them consider that that is more of possibility than probability. If their unions are kept intact no employ CT is going to hazard soon again a repe- tition of what he is now undergoing. He couldn't afford to invite it, and he isn't so dull as not to be able to real ize that the unions have grown in strength since the trouble began, which naturally implies growth in determin- ation and power as well, that would brook no sapping and mining opera tions to despoil them of the fruits of