Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-03

LABOR'S OUTLOOK I'm The new CENTURY. /

Observation-Disclosures ~NNNNNANNNNO
| lions into our best and most trusted
citizens.
Arbitration Remains Labor's Hope.
| (By w. Stainsby, Chief of the Bureau
of Labor of New Jersey)
You ask for my views on the re-
forms which the new century should
bring into the world of labor, especial
ly as to the establishment of labor
courts, the abolition of strikes, and
the addition to the presidents cabinet
of secretary of labor. The general
discomfort now prevailing thruout the
world among those who may be desig-
mated the working classes, would seem
to indicate the necessity of such re-
forms in the relations of employer and
|employes as will make each better ac-
lquainted with the aspirations, re-
lsponsibilities and difficulties of the
other.
| believe in arbitration as means
Iof settling labor disputes after the
principals have failed to adjust their
difficulties themselves. Indeed, it is
only in that way that any just settle
Iment may be effected. When dis
lpute becomes SO intense as to verge
on a strike, the principals are of all
persons the least competent to get at
1.-THE merits of it, and determine which
lside is right; it is only an impartial
third party who can do that. The pub
lie interests require that all such dis
putes should be arbitrated, and the
side refusing to submit its case for
settlement in that way ought to re-.
ceive the severest censure that public
opinion can infiict.
Many of states have enacted laws
establishing Boards of Arbitration in
the interest of the public, but the re-
suits of their work seem much below
what was expected from them The
failure is generally attributed to the,
4 fact that their power is simply adj
visory; offers of mediation by them
are frequently rejected by one or both
of the parties to a labor dispute. To
give these Boards authority to inter-
+ vene. regardless of what the principals
might desire, with the same authority
to enforce decisions which the courts
possess, would seem to be the only
way of making their work effective.
AS theory, such a course would
seem to be free from any serious OBJ
lection; it would only be necessary
), to find out the right of the matter in
dispute which might be wholly on one
side, or partly on both, and decide ac-
cordingly; but If the findings should
not be acquiesced in by the party in
, fault, then how would the public re-
gard the measures which must neces-
sarily be taken to enforce them. AS
Stunning the cause of trouble to be the
discharge of some workmen by an
employer, and that the court, finding
: the reasons given for dismissal not
, satisfactor..-, should order them restor-
: ed to their places The employer has
no choice between taking back men
!. he does not want in his employ and
whom he has already discharged, or
mourning the penalty of contempt of
q the court, which could be no other
than fine, and if persisted in, impris-
. onment.
!, There are at the present time many
!, instances of labor disputes having
: been satisfactorily settled by volun,
teer arbitrators, in whose hands both
a sides were willing to leave their
o cause. The intelligence, good judg
!, ment, and high personal character OF
? these men being regarded as sufficient
n guarantee that the conclusions reach
6 ed by them. no matter which side was
q favored, would be just and equitable
n God is invisible, and the Gear is
I. far Off is proverb among the Rus
s sian peasantry, eloquently expressive
n of wrongs inflicted by irresponsible
Il underlings; the pathetic note running
+ thru it finds an echo in the heart Of
# many an American workman, from
d whom the president or other supreme
J. officer of the corporation that EN-
l. ploys him, is as FAR off" as is the
r. Russian autocrat from the peasant.
l. To remedy these things, / believe
e that every corporation should have
d sitting at it's council board, on perfect
Q ly equal terms with the other direc
t. tors, a representative man who woult
n particularly represent the interests o
IS labor, and see to it that in shaping it:
l. policy due consideration be give1
IS them. This representation should b.
IS based on stock which the corporation
y might place within reach of thei
workmen, on terms adjusted to thei
S means, and which they should be en-
" couraged to buy. He would then hav,
n a means of making his wants know
h and adjusting his grievances withou
'e resorting to strikes, and this, be
a. lieve. would be of infinitely create
" advantage to him and to the public
% than the appointment by the Presiden
% of a Secretary of Labor in the cabine
Il of the chief executive of the nation.