The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-29

| opinion is sometimes dis
torted by ignorance--by
| lack of necessary information. But in
no instance in which it has had access
| to all the facts has it decided any mat
ter unfairly. This much their bitterest
critics must admit concerning the
| American people-they believe in fair
play; they are fair.
1t was because the attempted compro-
mise Of the coal stlke issues by dark
lantern negotiation contemplated shut
ting out the American people from 4
part in the adjudication, although their
interest in the points at issue in the
aggregate exceeds that of each of the
immediate principals, that the Mac
Neagh peace scheme was condemned
and that eventually it failed. Public
opinion has heard only one side of this
controversy. 1t wants to hear the other
side. 1t wants to get in possession Of
all the facts, so that it can, at it's leis-
ure, arrive at a judgment which will be
just and fair The commission is
clothed with power to make a tempor-
arY adjustment, but public opinion is
clothed with the power to make a per-
manent adjustment and it wants to use
that power intelligently and not upon
one-sided testimony.
For the reasons just stated, it seems
to us that the machinery of arbitration
now in operation in Illinois, q concise
description of which, by its chairman,
IN, fl,p
Worlds Work for December, offers q
hopeful means OF minimizing if not en-
tirely doing away with costly strikes.
For the essential feature of the Illinois
plan is publicity. Whenever difficulty
arises within that state sufficient to
threaten public injury or Inconvenience,
it is made the duty of the local author
tiles promptly to notify the state board
of arbitration. This board at once pro-
ceeds to the scene and offers its con-
ciliatory services. Should either side
decline them, it is empowered to make
a thorough investigation of the subject
matter of the trouble, with authority to
ance and testimony OF witnesses, and
Ia publish broadcast the facts as it
finds Them.
Mr.. Job says that very seldom indeed
does this drastic power have to be used
Usually both belligerents appear eager
to have their evidence made public
through official channels, and there
being usually truth on both sides the
natural consequence is mutual conces-
sion and compromise. But If a hard
headed employer or labor leader should
refuse to appear voluntarily before the
board and should have to be hailed
before it under penalty of imprison-
ment and forced to divulge damaging
testimony, the public opinion it would
create would constitute an effective dis
cipline in itself. Very rarely would
either belligerent want a second dose
of IL.
1t is assumed with regard to the ILL
nois board that 1t is, as a matter of
fact, what it nominally is, namely, nom
political. There are in every state, in
more than sufficient to supply
the membership of state arbitration
board, men who are capable of weigh
ing evidence honestly and fairly, with
out reference to factional, partisan or
considerations. If an arbitra-
ton board should be constituted i'm
Pennsylvania, as we are inclined to
think that it will be during the coming
session of the legislature, it ought to
be possible to have it composed of such
men; and If Judge Pennypacker has
the naming of it, it will be.