Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-02

tion of induStrldl uihputest 'ho "Ppoih''
nsnt Of the members OF the state board
Of arbitration and the operation Of the
law have since the amendment OF 1901,
after careful examination and analysis
nv students Of social and labor move
ments, been pronounced to be the near
asst 10 the ideal arbitration laws The
narticuIar amendment referred TO-
which the last Legislature passed. Is as
follows:
ut shall be the duty OF the mayor
OF every city and the president Of every
Incorporated town OF village. whenever
a strike or lockout, involving more
than twenty-five employees, shall h
threatened or has actually occurred
within or near such city, incorporated
town or village, to Immediately COM
municate the fact TO the state board
of arbitration, stating the name or
names Of the employer or employers
and one or more employees, with their
postofflce addresses, the nature OF the
controversy or difference existing. the
number of employees involved and such
other information as may be required
by the sdid board.
DUTY OF LABOR MEN.
1T shall be the duty Of the president
or chief executive officer Of every labor
osesnlzation. In case Of q strike or
lockout actual or threatened, involving
the members Of the organization of
which he is an officer. to Immediately
communicate the fact of such strike or
lockout to said board. with such In
formation as he may possess touching
the difference or controversy and the
number OF employees involved.
Whenever there shall exist a strike
or lockout, wherein, in the judgment OF
a majority OF said board the general
public shall appear likely to suffer in
fury or inconvenience with respect to
food, fuel or light, or the means OF
communication or transportation. or In
any other respect. and neither party to
such strike or lockout shall consent 10 |
submit the matter or matters In con- |
troversy TO the state board Of arbitra-
ton, in conformity with this act, then |
the said board. after first having made
due effort to effect settlement thereof |
by conciliatory means, and such effort |
having failed, may proceed Of its own
motion TO make an investigation OF all |
facts bearing upon such strike or lock- |
out and make public its findings, with
such recommendations TO the parties |
Involved as in Its judgment will con-
tribute TO a fair and equitable settle
ment of the differences which consti-
tute the cause Of the strike or lock -ont;
and In the prosecution Of such inquiry |
the board shall have power to issue
subpoenas and compel the attendance
and testimony of witnesses as in other
cases."
LAW IS EFFICACIoUs.
This amendment, which originated
with the present board, places the ar
bltration laws Of Illinois In the position
OF being as nearly able to meet the re-
quirements Of such law as Is possible,
under the present conditions of the en-
ployment Of laborers and the social and
economic conditions Of the United
States.
Prior TO this amendment when a
strike occurred, even though the pub
lie was the greatest sufferer by reason
of the inconvenience to 1t. the board OF
arbitration was powerless to act and
had to sit idly by and take no part in
the matter Now when such inconven-
fence to the public Is shown the board
can and does take the matter up, and
though its findings are not binding up
on the contestants. nevertheless the
very fact that an opinion IL given 20
the public by the board after taking
testimony and the press takes up and
publishes that opinion has the effect of
making the one TO blame see the error
Of It's way. The possibility OF making
an investigation and reporting an opin-
lon has the effect OF making the side at
fault slow to precipitate trouble which
Is likely TO result In a strike or lock-
out
BENEFITS THE PUBLIC.
During the few months In which the
amendment has been In effect the
views OF the leading labor representa-
tiyes as well as OF the heads Of the
more prominent corporations In Illinois
have been sought by the members OF
The board, and the opinion seems TO be
that an incalculsble benefit
will accrue to the public through the
power thus given to the
board,
To adopt and maintain that middle
policy In the matter Of the arbitration
" labor disputes which lies between
arbitration on the one hand
and inane and lstless inactivity
through lack OF power caused by defec-
i've laws on the other hand Is the great
leslderatum.
When long-drawn-out strike en-
ues which the papers are constantly
'eferrlng TO, the cry Ia often heard BY
IN employer or employe: They should
De forced to arbtrate." or There
Mould be compulsory arbitration" No
loubt there are occasionally cases
where compulsory arbitration would be
ustifable. but such cases are so few
md far between that law could not
,e framed which would cover any such
asses without including everything In
he way OF a strike, and II IL so apoar-
mt as TO be automatic TO every think
ne man that compulsory arbitration
! not the desirable thing in the United
'tates.
BOARD GROWS POPULAR.
The work OF the present board OF ar.
'itration has under the present law
'een OF n character 10 indicate that its
popularity among both employees and
mployers II constantly growing great.
r. The adoption OF the plan Of hold
ne monthly meetings at central points.
vhen both waRe-workers and employ
rs are met and are given an opportun-
~ to become acquainted with the
members Of the board. Is doing much 10
opularize the board and facilitate its
FORK. Al these meetings the law IN
and discussed. and the Inn
ression. sometimes met with. that pro-
essional politicians compose the men,
ershir r. dispelled
The extent 10 which an employer or
body OF employees can by their own