The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-04
Industries Have Developed, Employ
ment Has Been Abundant and
Wages Have Been Advanced.
SERIOUS DISORDER ABSENT
THERE WAS NO NECESSITY FOR
THREATENING DEMONSTRATIONS.
settlements of Disputes by Voluntary
Arbitration Is Growing in Favor
The Commissions LabOrs.

The third biennial report of the Indiana
Labor Commission and Board of Arbitra-
ton was filed yesterday with Governor
Durbin by L. P. Mccormack and q. Frank
Schmid, commissioners. The report Is not
a complete recital of the commissions Ia
bors, however, for the reason that some
employers and workmen prefer to have
their business trade affairs adjusted with
out what they regard as the unpleasant
notoriety which publication would give
them. The report says this is especially
true where, as a board Of arbitration, the
commissions services have been invoked
to fix wage contracts at times when no
strike or lockout was contemplated. but to
establish conditions precedent to start
ing new enterprises or at the beginning
of a working season, so as to make such
settlements matters of official record. and
thereby give to them the legal status pro-
vided for in Section of the act creating
and governing the Labor Commission.
1.-The industrial situation in Indiana"
says the report. "duHng the period herein
comprehended has been one of unusual
been. and in abundance: but in every in
stance, except one, there has been graft
flying absence of threatening derhonstra-
lions which at any time defied civil order.
This condition is in striking contrast with
that of some former years.
Doubtless many circumstances have con-
tributed to this fortunate condition. The
unusual industrial development of recent
years has given more abundant employ
ment to labor than formerly. 1t has made
the advancement of wages possible in near
ly all lines Of industry, and In a general
way such advances have been made. both
among skilled and unskilled workmen. The
organization of both employers and work
men in many branches of trade has done
much to promote better business rela-
tionship on both sides by means of annual
wage settlements, arbitration of differences
and various methods of Cancellation.
VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION.
1.-THE settlement of disputes by voluntary
arbitration is growing in use and favor.
Not infrequently controversies arise over
other questions than that of wages. Trade
rules, the conditions under which men
work, the frequency of wage payments,
hours of labor and other controversial
questions form the basis of wide differ
ences. Where there have been failures to
agree by means of Cancellation or mediation
rather than resort to the irrational lockout
or strike. with their loss of time and
wages, arrangements have been made TO
leave the questions at issue to the decision
of an arbitrating board mutually chosen.
Often these boards are selected from the
ranks of disinterested citizens in localities
where the controversies arise. OF course,
the decisions of the board thus chosen
have no legal binding force upon either
side. The obligation TO observe them rests
on purely moral grounds. But in no in
stance within our knowledge have they
been ignored.
AT times however a contract with legal
responsibility is wanted by one or both
sides, and arbitration by the State Labor
Commission is sought. The law provides
that for the purpose of arbitration the la
Dor commissioners and the judge of the
Circuit Court Of the county in which the
controversy arises shall constitute a board
of arbitration, to which may be added, If
the parties so agree, two other members,
one to be named by the employer and the
other by the employees in the arbitration
agreement
There have been incorporated into the
codes of few of the larger and stronger
labor organizations in Indiana stringent
rules imposing methods OF settlement,
which, in their practical effects, amount to
enforced arbitration. They were originally,
doubtless, the outgrowth of precautionary
measures taken against strikes which were
adopted in annual wage agreements In
some trades there has been found neces-
sity for settling recurring differences speed
| lily and effectually, so as to prevent either
lockout or strike. These annual settle
ments have in marked degree contributed
| toward reducing the friction between capt.
| tai and labor. Nowhere perhaps, more
than in Indiana have the salutary effects
| of such a method been felt. The building
| trades in the cities and larger towns, the
| United Mine Workers of the entire State
and numerous other federated trades are
now governed by this rule.
BOARDS OF ARBITRATION.
under the original annual wage settle
ments method it was, and is yet, provided
that board of arbitration be established,
consisting of one or more employers and
an equal number of employees. represent
ing their respective organizations, which
shall constitute board, to which all con-
troversies are submitted for adjudication.
| If this board cannot agree an odd men,
Der, mutually agreed upon, is selected,
whose decision is final and equally binding
| on both parties. 1t is also provided that
| there shall be no cessation of work pend
ing the decision of the arbitration board.
| The simplicity and effectiveness of this
! method. and the gratifying results growing
out of its employment, have justified many
organizations Incorporating il into their
/ laws. The labor commission can testify to
| the good results that have followed its
| adoption and urges its general use 1t is
| the most rational, effective and business
| like method of settlement yet employed
| Stability of employment to labor, security
| of investments and certainty of profits 70
| capital. the peace and quietude of society
/ and the more complete assimilation and
| peaceful cooperation of all elements OF
productive forces are by this means great
| ly promoted.
Quoting an excerpt from a former re-
port bearing upon the subject of enforced
| arbitration, your labor commission be-
| lieves the law should be amended in two
particulars:
"Ffrst-In all cases where disputes arise
| from any cause, IL shall be made unlawful
| for a lockout or strike TO be resorted &c
without first attempting conciiation the
Observation-Disclosures, during the prog.
ress of a lockout or strike, human life is
| jeopardized, security to property is threat
| ened, public order is overthrown. or the
law is willfully defied or violated both
parties to such lockout strike shall be
| required 10 obey a mandatory order to sub.
| NIT their contention TO arbitration in some
| manner mutually agreeable.
| Such laws, justly enforced, would prove
| I'm some degree repressive to domineerine
and avaricious employers. who sometimes
precipitate strife by attempts at unrea son
able exactions or by refusal to pay living
| wages, and, as well. to those groups OF
| workingmen who delegate the management
| OF their material interests TO unwise lead.
ers or allow themselves to be influenced by