The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-05-25


says Samuel Gompers in the
ationist.'
As we have shown in the columns of
the American Federationist and parti-
cularly in the editorial of our last issue,
this species of legislation is not only
aimed to prevent strikes but to deny
to the workers the right to strike re-
CARELESS of causes which may warrant
it. Assemblyman Costello, of the New
York Legislature, in a burst of anger,
in so many words asserted that that
was the purpose of his bill which he
introduced, and which we are pleased
to say in passing, failed Of enactment.
We were inclined to let the matter
rest upon the discussion already had
upon this subject, were it not for the
fact that some advocates of the meas
ure have again burst into print, some
attempting arguments, others INDUCING
in abuse and still others 1nisapprehend-
ing the grounds of our position.
The most conspicuous person who has
to the discussion Of this
question recently is no less person than
Mr.. Edward Tregear, Secretary for La
Dor Of New Jersey. It Is we'll to note
some Of the grounds which he gives
and urges for the extension of compul-
sorry arbitration. He predicts his ad-
vocacy of compulsory arbitration upon
what he, with evident glee, says, 1.-THE
working class of New Zealand turn all
the energy Of the labor organizations
from the direction Of old unioniSm'
which busted itself mainly with work,
etc.. into political channels" Mr..
Tregear thus desires all to understand
that increasing wages, lessening hours
of labor, proper safety and sanitary re-
gulations in factories, workshops, mills,
and mines are insignificant as compared
with toilers directing their efforts into
political channels" and this promise,
after all, is the basis for the action of
those who advocate compulsory arbi-
tration and who claim to be friendly
toward the working class. AS an evil
dence Of this, we may cite that the
Philadelphia Tagablatt, socialist pap
er, recently took exception to the Am
erican Federation of Labor's position
on this question, and the socialist Min
lister of the Interior Of France, M.
Millarand, who introduced q bill into
the French Chamber Of Deputies max
ing it crime, punishable with fine and
engage in strike.
But to return to Mr.. Tregear. It has
often been asserted by the advocates OF
compulsory arbitration that there is
not and can not be any penalty in con-
nection with such law; that workmen
would not be compelled to work for
certain stipulated wages, and would not
be required to specifically perform the
conditions Of a contract, yet we find
Mr.. Tregear, in his article, saying that
until a final settlement is reached the
workmen must accept the same wages
which were paid before the dispute be-
gan.
In speaking Of the chief justice of the
supreme court bench, who is the presi.
dent Of the court in New Zealand, he
says: For a period generally Of two
years, he fixes absolutely the wages
hours, etc." Further on he states the
New Zealand law to be that, if a wit.
ness declined for any reason to appear
he can be punished for contempt OF
court and adds: I'm fact, a breaker
Of the law laid down in an arbitration
court is treated like the breaker of the
law proceeding from any other court
and is equally outside Of the sympathy
of decent citizens
Further on, we read in Mr.. Tregear's
article that If the members of trade
union will not work at the awarded
rate, that the union can be fined $4,000
and every man belonging to it is liable
to the extent Of $50, as for private
debt" Upon investigation of the pro.
visions Of the New Zealand law and
mited to various state legislatures in
our own country, it Is clear that If ar
organization declines to pay or were
not in a position to pay, every indivi.
dual member who may not have the
| money to pay the fine would be jailed
Certainly the workers who. have hat
such bitter experience with present laws
and the use and abuse of contempt O.
court proceedings can not be expected
to be overwhelmed with JOY at tn
| thought of the enactment Of a Law
which shall extend the power of tn
courts for the exercise Of the writ o
| injunction and contempt Of court pro
ceedings. Even so keen an observe
as Ambrose Bierce some time ago ad
mitted that he had not the happines
to understand why the workers shoul
be opposed to writs of Injunction an,
contempt of court proceedings in 1abo
disputes. Others have the unhappines
to know that these writs and proceed
ings have subjected them to the whim
and prejudices of a Judge and derive
them, when charged with an oftense, O
the right of trial by jury.
With evident satisfaction Mr.. Tregea
4 flounces the idea that you can compe
man to take lower wages than b
wants." He cites case where a print
ers' union Of New Zealand desired
raise of wages, the employers actual
offering one, but not high as the unto
men demanded. They preferred to Il
the matter go before the compulsor
Court Of arbitration: The court award
ed less than the employers had Offered
and though Mr.. Tregear assuringl
says that the union loyalty and faith