The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-05-09

in opposition to child labor.
quate for the settlement Of nine COM
plications out Of ten. In the case of
the anthracite strike, for instance, If
the Commission since appointed by
President Roosevelt could have been
appointed four months sooner, while
the conflict was in the earlier stage Of
development, it's report would have at
forded to one or both parties concerned
an opportunity to withdraw creditably
from a position which afterwards, for
at least one of them, became false and
consequently perilous. What the coun-
try has needed is Hght-the possession,
if not Of undisputed facts, at least Of
an authentic statement of the facts in
dispute. Had these been spread upon
the record and submitted for public
consideration, it could hardly be other
wise than that recommendations firm,
judiciOus and reasonable, based there
on, would have sufficed to remove from
the path the impeachment of false pride
that stumbling block in the case of
nine strikes out Of ten. An opportun-
ity Of gracefully receding would have
been offered to one or both parties con-
cerned. Should either party have in
sisted, in the face of light and reason,
the responsibility for obstinate insist
ence >would have been upon it's head.
In the United States public opinion has
In such cases very summary, as we'll
as effective, way of enforcing its own
process. An excellent and sufficient
example of this was furnished in the
sudden change of front on the part Of
one of the parties to the present an
thracite complication, executed in the
face of rapidly rising popular senti-
ment. Persistence was felt to involve
too much risk. It would be so In the
great mass of these cases. They are
preventible. But what is wanted for
their prevention Is not force, but light
and guidance.
This generally acknowledged fact to
the contrary Notwithstanding, it is sin
gular to note, when any controversy
arises, how such a method of settle
ment as that here proposed is at once
set aside as being inadequate and un-
worthy Of consideration, because, be-,
hind it: there is no constab1e's club or
soldiers bayonet. In fact, however,
the word "compu1sion" has an UNI
pleasant sound to Americans. In the
DRY only is the thing itself popular.
With us the final appeal must always
be to reason; and public opinion en-
forces the edict of that appeal. In
every field of legislation this has been
again and again illustrates; and yet
the appeal to reason, as now here made,
is almost as invariably as contemptu-
the ground that there is behind it no
force to compel obedience.
It is this tendency to compulsion
against which, submit, it is the espe-
cial function Of the Civic Federation to
protest. We should lay emphasis on
the fact that our appeal is to reason,
and not to force. The difficulty with
the Federation is not want of power,
but want of official standing. It is a
volunteer. At mo time, for instance.
during the last six months could il
| enter the field as representing the
Executive Of either State or Nation;
and had it entered the field on it's own
Initiative only it would have been in
! immediate danger of mourning the con-
| tempt not only of both parties to the
controversy, but Of the public itself
1t has, therefore, been compelled to
| inaction,-a purely waiting attitude
This fact in itself discloses a want
A piece of machinery Is lacking.
! But it is argued that such boards
| already exist, and the results of their
| efforts have not proved satisfactory
This assumption deny, and on broad
ground. When such large interests are
! involved as, for instance, in the strike
| in the anthracite coal region, repre-
| sented by men of capacity on each side
| to deal effectively it would be neces-
| sary for the community to have the
power of availing itself of the services
Of the very best men, and those OF
the highest character and authority al
| it's command. If it speaks at all, il
should speak adequately. If in June
it had been the duty, as well as with
the power, of the President, or of the
Governor of Pennsylvania, recognizing
that the public interests and convent
ence were involved, and that lasting
injuries might be entailed, to take cog
nizance of the situation in the anthra-
cite region, it should, under the system
proposed, have been the duty Of eithel
Executive to call upon the very strong
| SSL HIGH Ill Tile o.
highest character and most intimately
acquainted with every condition in.
| volved. No man in the country 81
callel upon could have refused to serve
yet such men will not accept, no.
should they be expected to accept
merely salaried positions, permanent il
character, on a board of subordinate
Importance.
The machinery now suggested should
moreover, be reserved, and brough
into action only in special exigencies
1t Is not designed, nor is it adapted, K
everyday use. In that field the existing
boards are doing good service. and do.
ing it sufficiently well; but for obvious
reasons, they are not equal to the *
ceptional occasions. They, occupy $th,
positions of municipal courts 4. but
where grave problems Of constitutions
law present themselves such are re no
referred Lit; 45to.zt he police ma gistrates III
ision.Hy nor ould the decis 81 "a d 3
those 81 ties ere upoi
hem AIRY cessar;yy,SEsWeiR i,t.