The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-12-03
As TO LABOR DISPUTES.
Federal Commission Of Conciiiation and
Arbitration Needed.

Tho commission appointed 10y the
president oct. lG. 1902, At the request
OF both the anthracite coal operators
and miners. q inquire into. consider
and pass upou the questions In con
trpycrsy I'm connection With the strike
I'm the anthracite regions of PcunSyl-
vauia and the causes out of which the
controversy arose, I'm their report, find
iugs and award expressed the belief
that the state ana federal govern
mcuts should provide the machinery
for what may be called the compul-
sorry Investigation of controversies he
tween employers and employees when
they arise" This expression of belief
is deserving OF the favorable consldcra-
ton of the congress and the enactment
of it's provisions into law. \ bill has
already been introduced 10 this end.
Records show that during the tWcn-
ty years from Jan. /, lSSl. 10 Dee. ~,
1909. there were strikes affecting III
6G0 establishments ana Glu5,Gll ON
ploycps were thrown ont of employ.
mcut. During the Same period there
were l.On1 lorkouts. involving nearly
10000 establishments. throwing over
million people ont of employment
These strikes ami lockouts Involved an
estimated loss to employees of S.iOI,-
100000 ana To employers of Sll'uuo,-
GOO a total of Sl5OOnuuuO The public
suffered directly aul indirectly prob
ably as great additional loss. But tn"
money loss. great as II was, dll not
measure the anguish and suffering en-
durcd by the wives and children Of
employees whose pay stopped when
their work stopped, or the disastrous
effect OF the strike or lockout upon the
business of employers or the Increase
I'm the cost OF products and the neon
vcuicucc ma loss TO the public.
Many OF these strikes and lockouts
would not have occurred had the par
ties To the dispute been required 20 ap-
pear before an uupciudicol body rep
rcsrutlug the nation and, face 90 face.
state the reasons for their contention.
In most instances the dispute would
doubtless hr found 10 ho luo 10 u
MISUNDERSTANDING 10y each ot the
others rights, aggravated hy am un-
willingness Of either party 10 accept ms
true the statements of the other us 10
the Justice or injustice of the matters
I'm dispute. The exercise of a judicial
spirit 10y dislut"rcstcd body repre-
scutiug the federal government, such
as would bc provided by commission
on Cancellation ana arbitration. would
tend TO create an atmosphere of friend
lIucss nul Cancellation between con
tending parties, ana the giving each
side an equal opportunity 10 present
fully It's case In the presence Of the
other would prevent many disputes
from developing into serious strikes oi
lockouts and In other cases woul.
enable the commission 10 persuade IN,
opposing parties 10 come TO terms
In this age of great corporate and IN
bor combinations neither employers no
employees should be left completely Il
the mercy of the stronger party to
dispute regardless of thc righteous
; ness Of their respective claims. TIN
% T.nposed measure would bc IN the lin
, oI securing recognition Of the fact tina
; In many strikes the public has itself a
? interest which cannot wisely be dlsre
{ Garded-an interest not merely OF ger
< eral convenience, for the question Of
: Just and proper public policy must ais