The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-10
Bill TO Prevent
DisorderIy Strikes

From a Harrisburg Letter in the Pittsburs Com.
mercalGazcttc.
An ATTEMPT viii be made to carry out the
~ suggestion OF Governor Stone TO enact a
Ia compulsory arbitration law. The bill has
been prepared, but will not be made pub.
lie for the present. Those who are familiar with
conditions in the anthracite coal regions appre.
ciate the necessity for prompt action along the
lines laid down by the executive, The agree
mcnt under which the miners returned to work
last fall expires April /. The administration
would like to see the arbitration law enacted
before that time. The bill will provide that the
workmen will continue at their labors while the
differences being arbitrated. The state is
not anxious to send another large body OF troops
into this region and believes that the surest way
to avoid the massing of soldiers there TO quell
disturbances is to compel both sides to settle
their disputes in an orderly way.
At present the state has voluntary arbitration
law. It was written in the books long ago, but
has never been the basis OF settlement Of many
il any differences between capital and labor. 1t
is the opinion OF Factory Inspector James Camp
bell that arbitration to be effective must be
compulsory or nearly so. lie has had experiences
under the present act as a labor leader and
found that it was impossible to accomplish any.
thing with it. The bill closely conforms to the
governors recommendations II within a given
time the workmen refuse to select arbitrators,
then state troops be put in TO allow the OWL
of the mines or mills to operate their plants.
II it is the operator that refuses to go into ar
bitration then force can he used to prevent him
from operating his works until attempt is made
to adjust the differences. After both sides have
selected arbitrators the court of the county can
name one three impartial men to sit with the
aIbitrators already selected.
The first question that the friends of the meas.
ure hero raised is that of constitutionality. The
bill has been submitted to some of the brightest
| lawyers in the state. They agree that the act
would stand the test of the court. They hold
/ that il the state has the right to quarantine n
| family on account OF some contagious disease,
| the commonwealth has the privilege to take
the means herein prescribed for the prcscrva.
tion Of the public peace. The mine workers of
the anthracite region in a convention held at
Pottsvillc last week endorsed the proposition. II
is to be submitted TO number OF other labor or
ganizatons throughout the state. A copy OF the
bill will also be shown to the principal opera.
tors in the hard coal country. While the act
/ will apply TO the entire state, the LEGISLATION
| was inspired by the trouble in the anthracite
region, and the special purpose of its passage is
to attempt to avert possible trouble in that To-
cality in the coming spring.
In a recent speech in Chicago John Mitchell,
! president of the National Mine Workers, advo.
Gated arbitration. lie is doubtful about the sue
cess OF compulsory arbitration, fearing lest II
would mean the Imprisonment of those who
| would refuse to accept it's award This sams
view is said to have been taken by Patrick Dolan,
| president OF the United Mine Workers OF the
pittsburg district. 1t has been explained TO him
that such would not be the result and he is now
said TO be in hearty accord with the proposition.