The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-25
HOW ARBITRATION WORKS.

Around the one idea Of arbitration
move all the contributions thus far
made in the industrial convention now
in session in Minneapolis to the prob
lem of industrial peace. On the part
of employer and employee alike arbitra-
ton is the only principle which, in
practical application is accepted as
possessing in itself the potentialities
for industrial peace. We may all wish
the realization of higher spiritual level
from which industrial disagreements
and the respective interests of en-
ployer and employee shall be regarded;
but we are confronted from the outset
by the insuperable barrier Of existing
conditions. Those conditions involve
strife. Under them strife is inevitable.
| The problem of labor is in word how
to render strife impossible. Wrong or
injustice there may be, probably ever
will be in greater or less measure to
one side or the other in the settle
ment Of industrial disagreements.
Strife there should never be. It is in
consistent with our civilization. It is
incompatible with the acceptance by
both sides Of the agency of arbitra-
ton. And in this sense arbitration in
wolves Cancellation.
There is much instruction to be de-
rived from reading the published syn
opsis Of the address delivered before
the convention by Mr.. Job, the chair
man of the Illinois board of arbitra-
ton. 1t shows, as does, indeed. his
entire official career, that Mr.. Job
comes rightfully by his name, and that
he possesses in a striking degree the
qualities ascribed to his Biblical name
sake. Without such qualities. 1t may
well be doubted whether he would ever
have been able to have his name made
known outside Of the limits of his i'm
mediate circle Of official and personal
acquaintanceship.
During Tuesdays session, it deserves
attention, that one Of the delegates,
the president Of the Iowa State FEEDER
alton of Labor, declared before the
convention that the labor leaders were
in favor Of compulsory arbitration,
even though they felt called on to say
publicly that they were not. This gen.
tleman probably knows what he is
talking about, although, through the
president of the National Federation OF
Labor, Mr.. Gompers, the great labor
organization Of the country, has de-
ole Irnd civ %I,a
There is more than suspicion, how
ever-there is in fact settled convic-
tion-among those who know them,
that the members of labor organiza-
tons, the men Of the rank and file, are
in favor of compulsory arbitration and
would call it into existence If their ac-
ton alone could produce such a re-
suit 1t Is the only fundamentally
thus far considered that can effectively
prevent industrial strife.
The New Zealand example Is final
on this score. 1t does not admit of
discussion, much less dispute. 1t may
| be that it's application to our social,
| political and industrial situation is
more or less questionable. But every
student Of the problem Of industrial
| peace who approaches his subject with
a clear and free mind is forced to the
admission that arbitration is but a
mere word, sound, shadow, an eco
nomic illusion, and will so remain I'M
| til the state takes steps to make it an
effective and practical instrument in
| labor disputes.