The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-01

through nonregistration, and the regis
tration Will be under the ministerial direc-
tion Of the state attorney general
The orders of the court may be en-
forced, as in New Zealand by injunction
or by fines and penalties levied both on
the corporate funds OF the union and on
individual members, but they are also en-
lorceable by another method, upon the ef-
iiciency of which will probably depend
the success or failure OF the act the dec
laration OF common rule. Briefly put.
the common rule enactment gives the
court power to declare that any practice,
usage, etc, shall, with such limitations
as the court shall specify. become a com
mon rule for all persons employed in the
particular industry under review. When
once II is declared. II must be obeyed,
just as a regulation under the factories
acts. the inspectors under which will be.
intrusted with it's enforcement No one is
Obliged TO conform TO the common rule
except by this form Of compulsion. that
no one is allowed 10 carry on his industry
unless he does conform 10 IT, IL will, how
ever be open to any person aggrieved 10
apply 10 the court 10 be excluded from
the common rule and the court has full
power at any time to vary its orders.
The provisions made are that the legal
machinery OF the court shall he as elastic
as possible in order that II may be adapt
ed to the varying conditions of each
trade. The court will In time. II In expect
ed, become the regula tor OF the main con-
ditions OF employment. The court also
has power to declare a standard wage
and TO direct that "other things being
equal an employer shall give prefer
ence TO unionists when two or more men
are applying for employment at the same
time. The Hon. II. r. Wise, state attor-
ney general. who is the author of the
act thinks there will be no more strikes.
as the act provides. II dispute arises.
that any one who strikes, locks out or in
stigates 60 either Is guilty OF "A misde-
meanor, which may be punished by i'm
prisonment or fine. II n dispute arises, II
must be referred to the court. lie also be-
lieves that there will be a great extension
Of trades unionism and of combination
among employers The tendency will be
more and more for large bodies OF work
men To make bargains with large bodies
OF employers-in other words, there will
be collective bargaining about labor In
stead OF every individual making terms
for himself
The general result, Mr.. Wise arYlrms.
will be TO give greater stability 20 indus
try. Employers need no longer be AFRAID
that their calculations will be upset by
sudden cessation OF work. because, though
disputes may arise. work must go ON
while the dispute Is being settled b. the
court. Contractors will also be able TO
make bargains with the trades unions for
wages 20 he paid during the progress Of
any work. and these bargains can he ie-
gally enforced like any other contract
On the other hand. the workman H. IN a
position OF greater security, both be-
cause he knows he cannot be locked out
and because the court IN the exercise OF
its powers can take cognIzance OF any
abuse or injustice or wrong I'm the condi-
ton Of his employment and by the exer-
else Of its power TO declare a common
rule level up the conditions OF employ
ment IN every industry 20 those which