The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-21

the individual may agree upon, and TO dis
charge such labor at will
On the other hand, the labor unions claim
the right to dictate the wages to be paid,
who shall be employed. the hours i'm which
TO labor, and that no man shall labor in
a place where a man belonging to a labor
union might be employed unless he join the
proper union. And further. the claim is
made by the unions that they have the
right to interfere in a mans or a firm :
business by system of picketing and boy
firm into discharging nonunion help and
employing members of the union, or driving
him out of business altogether.
These, then. are the lines dividing capital
and labor, the employer and the employed.
From this point Of view Is IL any wonder
that the conflict is bitter one? The bit
terness is not lessened by the agitation of
the pretended friends of both. / think all
sober-minded. thinking men will agree with
me that there is need of a remedy that will
ADJUST these things, not Dy simply saying
to this side or that, YOU are right and we
will that you win the fight" but by
methods that will have due consideration
for the rights OF both parties. Without
claiming for my plan anything like perfec-
ton, or that il is the only plan that can
accomplish the desired end. make the fol-
lowing suggestion for a remedy:
BY federal statute establish one or more
courts in each State of the Union. the sole
business of which shall be to hear and
determine grievances and disputes arising
between employed and employers, and Ia
Dor and capital. These courts TO be COM
posed of three or five judges, the majority
of whom shall be certified TO the Presi-
dent by the labor unions of the State. and
the minority by the railroads. manufacture
ers and other large employers Of labor. to
be appointed by the President and con-
iirmed By the Senate OF the United States
Such courts to be clothed with all the pow
erS usually conferred upon courts of record.
and whose judgments shall be enforced in
the same manner the Judgments and de-
crees OF other courts are enforced. The
same law should prohibit general lockouts
and strikes and provide that whenever any
misunderstanding, disputes. grievances. or
questions of labor and wages should arise
between employed and employer "A fair and
correct statement shall be formulated and
presented TO such court for adjustment
/ shall not anticipate the many objections
| know will be made To the plan here sug-
gested, l would rather leave them 10 be
answered. or conceded when made l am
aware also. that there are eminent law
yers who maintain that Congress has no
such power under the Constitution as here
suggested. In my judgment Congress has
such power. In Sec. \. Art. / Is this pro-
vision: Congress shall have power .
10 provide for the common defense and
welfare of the United States. And fur
Their along i'm the same section: ITO consti-
tute tribunals inferior TO the Supreme
reads as follows: ITO make all laws
which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into execution the foregoing pow
ers and all powers vested by this constitu-
States. or in any department or officer
thereof.
III 1 am mistaken AZ To the powers of
Congress. then | sure the Importance OF
the question warrants an amendment 90
the Constitution OF the United States which
a. J. BUCKLES.
Fairfield, CAL, Aug. u.