Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-05

other combinations of capital, and the eff
fects that such trusts have on prices We
are collecting information to wages and
hours of work, the comparative cost of liy-
ing and the kind of living in different parts
of the United States, the material, social,
intellectual and moral condition of the
workmen, as well as to all matters relating
to controversies and disputes between en-
poyers and employees. This information is
for capitalists and wage earners alike They
are on perfect equality here. The depart
ment acts only as information bureau
or an educational Office, to enable each
party to better understanding of what
the actual conditions are
Uncle Sam as an Arbitrator.
'But, Mr.. Secretary. the department gives
information to both parties. and it is per-
fectly impartial Why can it not be an ar
bitrator between them?'
"The Department of Commerce and La
Dor has no legal authority to act as an ar
bitrator between capital and labor" replied
Secretary Cortelyou. II see no reason, how
ever, why any of its officials may not act
as arbitrators of labor controversies if re-
quested to do so by the representatives of
both parties. Congress- you know has rec
ognized the principle of industrial arbitra-
ton by the act of October l. 1881, under
which the great Chicago strike of 1894 was
arbltrated. That act was repealed by the
broader act of June l. 1898. Both of these
acts, however, related only to disputes be-
tween employers and employees engaged in
interstate commerce.
How about the arbitration In the an
thracite coal striker
I'm that strike a commission was ap-
pointed by the President at the request of
both operators and miners, and it's author
ity to make a binding award rested only
in the agreement of the operators and min
ers to- abide by it's decision. AS you know,
the iabors of that commission were success
full
son
But, Mr.. Secretary are not such trou-
bles increasingly
IT think not" was the answer. '"The re-
lations of capital and labor appear to be
growing better. variety of influences are
operating to this end. The National Civic
Federation is bringing about a better I'M
Outstanding between employers and en-
plyes in some parts of the country, and
much is being done in other ways to obvi-
ate industrial disturbance; as for instance,
by means of trade agreements These
agreements have been made by employers
and employees coming together largely
through their representatives,, to establish
wages, hours of labor and other matters
for fixed period. Such agreements pre-
vent strikes and lock-outs, and at the
present time seem to be one of the strong
est forces making for industrial peace
I'VE have also had some legislation by
the various states as to boycotting black
listing, company stores, women and child
labor, which has removed some of the
causes of friction between employers and
employees. Arbitration boards to which la
Dor controversies may be submitted have
been provided for by twenty-one of the
states, but only in a few cases have such
boards been able to accomplish much in the
adjustment of aggravated difficulties. They
are chiefly advisory boards, having no DOW
er to enforce their decisions"
Uncle Sans Labor Army.
How many people are there in the
United States, Mr.. Secretary, who work
with their hands,"
you will find that in the census reports
replied Secretary CorteIyou. "Take out all
who are engaged as proprietors. clerks and
professional men and we find that there
are eighteen and one-half millions who
work for wages with their hands Some Of
these are skilled workmen and others UNI
skilled. OF the total number about four
millions are women
What percentage of the whole belong to
the labor unions?
ut is estimated that there are about two
millions belonging to the unions"
Flow about wages, are they increasing
In the United States?''
Yes" replied Secretary Cortelyou .aThe
Bureau of Labor has been making an inves-
tigation of that subject and its estimate is
that wages are now on the average about IS
per cent higher than they were in 1891 1895
and 1886, and 10 or u per cent above the