The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-22

der n penalty OF not more than $500
fine and thirty days in Jail. The ap-
plicant for the board shall stand as
plaintiff. but where the application is
jointly made the employer shall b. the
plaintiff. and both sides may appear
with their attorneys ana counsel. Ex-
perts may testify, and drawings, mod
els and statements may be intro luce
as evidence. Both the board and wit
nesses are to be paid out of the treas
ury Of the county in which the arbi-
traitors are appointed. A majority Of
the members of the board shall make
n decision, which, after proper attest
by the secreary Of the beard, becomes
a court record and Is to be filed for
safe keeping. According to the act.
the finding is to be final and conclu-
sive" but no provision for enforcement
is made and the act therefore stands
on the statute books as dead letter.
The bill inspired by Governor Stone,
while not yet made public in detail
contemplates the placing of a kind Of
police quarantine around the mine,
mill, factory or shop in which a strike
of magnitude occurs. 1t provides
substantially that upon notice given
by the mine or factory inspectors de-
partment, that such a strike is In pro-
gress. and If within three days follow
ing neither of the parties in conflict
shall have named three arbitrators.
the governor, in the interest of the
public order, and without waiting for
further summons, shall order to the
scene of trouble sufficient military
force to do either or two things. If
the strikers name arbitrators and the
employers decline or fail to name
them, the mine. factory, mill or shop
is to be seized by the commonwealth
and closed until arbitration is ac-
cepted by the employers If the en-
ployers name arbitrators and the
strikers decline or fail to name them.
the commonwealth is to use its mill
tary power to afford protection to all
men who shall elect to take the va
cant places.
When both parties have named three
arbitrators each, the president judge.
upon notice from either side or both
sides, shall name one or three addi-
tional arbitrators. the whole number
to constitute a court with full power
to try. hear and decide the issue.
Nomination of arbitrators carries with
1t a pledge to accept the completed
finding, but should either party after
"a iCt Of he
trail court, the commonwealth Is to
use its military power as before. either
to close the working place until the
employers obey, or to protect other
employees in case the strikers shall re-
fuse to return to work. The PROPOSE
ton to assert the commemorative
power in this manner is defended by
the governor and his advisers upon
the ground that it is q justifiable eX-
ercise of the police function to prevent
the disturbances of the public peace
sure to attend a prolonged war be-
tween labor and capital. On this ba-
sis they affirm their belief that the
Supreme court would sustain the pro-
posed act against attack on the score
of unconstitutionality.
The question here touched upon is
of such vast and far-reaching import
ance that thorough discussion rather
than hasty conclusion is called for.
This is worthy Of widespread partici-
patton so that when the legislature
shall act it may proceed wisely. One
thing is certain: The complex organ
izatiOn of modern industry into i'm
mense and often rival camps. employ
ers merging into great corporations on
the one hand, and workingmen, on the
other combining in powerful labor
unions and giant federations, has
brought forward economic and social
conditions beyond the control of for
mer legislation on this subject, and
civilization is called upon to revise it's
laws. Is 1t powerless to do this ef-
fectively and justly? This is for the
near future to determine.
Z