The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-04

The coal strike commissioners have
gone about their work in a business
like. systematic way that is calculated
10 inspire confidence in them. Their
decision. without allowing any higgling
over the matter. that whatever finding
they make as to change in wages shall
take effect upon November 1st shows
that they have entered upon their
duties with a determination to settle
the vexed question. The ann IN
which they have begun their investiga-
tiOn-going into the mines, seeing how
n work is done. questioning miners.
other employees and mine bosses as to
the working and the rules show a de-
termination to get at the bottom OF
affairs and to become thoroughly ac-
Quainted with the situation before GO
ing into the testimony of the two sides
to the controversy on hearing then
views on the matters in dispute. 1t
can be safely said that there is going
to be no embarrassing done in this
ase The board has decided that it's
general meetings shall be open to the
public. The press representatives will
be present, and the people will know
each day what evidence was introduced
and what proceedings had at the ses-
sion of the day before. Everything IS
to be above-bOard and open to the
scrutiny and criticism of the public.
Thus at h very outset public con-
dem is established in the honesty of
purpose and desire TO do justice pc
tween the parties on the part of the
members of the arbitration board.
They have before them one of the
most difficult problems that has ever
been brought before a similar tribunal
in this country, and their findings will
he of more f~ar-reaching results than
that Of any arbitration board that has
ever undertaken to settle a dispute be-
tween contending parties. A vast
deal depends upon the action of this
board. The results of their action will
not stop with the settlement of the dis
pute as to amount of wages and num-
Der Of hours of a days work now raised
between the miners and the coal op-
orators, but will establish a precedent
for the settlement of contests between
=apital and labor and may possibly
be made the basis for very important
Legislation regarding compulsory arbi-
ration of such matters. Year by year
this question of the relations between
capital and labor is becoming of create,
importance in this country. Heretofore
the settlement of all such disputes has
been only temporary. Which ever side
gives way does so with a mental reser-
walton, determined to renew the light
as sOon as a more convenient season
arises. Employees who strike for high
er wages or shorter hours are whipped
out and go back to work On the old
terms. They are disconnected, restless,
determined to again make the demand,
backed up by another strike as soon as
opportune occasion arises. If the strik-
ers win the employers take them back
after granting the concessions demand
ed. feeling that they have been i'm
posed uDOn by their employees and
await an opportunity IL recover the
lost ground as soon as the time comes
when they can better afford to fight
it out with their employees
The result of this coal min InVesti-
CATION and the arbitration of the ques-
tions in dispute will go a long way to-
ward putting an end 10 this unde-
sirabie and dangerous state of affairs.
This is an experiment. 1t is something
new in this country and was never be-
fore heard of in the Old World; but ii
is an experiment which We expect &c
prove j successful a great measure al
least. if not 10 the full extent desired.