Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-05
AS TO LABOR DISPUTES.
Federal Commission Of Cancellation and
Arbitration Needed.

The commission appointed by the
president oct. IT, 1902, at the request
of both the anthracite coal operators
and miners, to inquire into. consider
and pass upon til" questions in con-
troversy in connection with the strike
in the anthracite regions of Pcnnsyl-
vnnia and the causes out Of which the
controversy arose, in their report, find
ings and award expressed the belief
that the state and federal govern
ments should provide the machinery
for what may be called the conpul-
sorry investigation Of controversies be-
tween employers and employees when
they arise" This expression of belief
is deserving of the favorable considera-
ton Of the congress aud the enactment
Of its provisions into law. \ bill has
already been introduced to this end
Records show that during the TWEEN
ty years from Jan.+1. 1881. to Dee. II.
1900. there were strikes affecting H.
600 establishments and g, l05.GH4 en-
ployees were thrown out of employ
meut During fhe same period there
We're l,VyO lOChOutS, III Wv iiiN- ~ 60 -
10000 establishments, throwing over
a million people out of employment.
These strikes and lOckoutS involved an
estimated loss to employees of S:'o!.-
100000 and to employers of SlE;,GW'.-
600. n total of $50 .00O.uGn The public
suffered directly and Indirectly prob
ably as great additional loss. But the
money loss. great rs it WAS. did not
measure the anguish and suffering en-
dured hy 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
in the cost of products and the incon-
yenience and loss to the public.
Many Of these strikes and lockouts
would not have occurred had the par
ties to the dispute been required to ap-
pear before an unprecedented body rep
resenting the nation and. face to face
state the reasons for their contention
In most instances the dispute would
doubtless be found 10 he due to Il
misunderstanding by each of the
others rights. aggravated by an I'M
willingness Of either party to accept rs
true the statements of the other as TO
the justice or injustice of the matters
IN dispute. The exercise of 4 judicial
spirit by DISTINGUISHED body repre-
senting the federal government. such
as would be provided by Il commission
on Cancellation and arbitration. would
tend to create an atmosphere of friend.
lncss and cancellation between con
tendins parties. and the giving each
side an equal opportunity TO present
fully its case In the presence Of the
other would prevent many disputes
from developing into serious strikes OF
lockOuts and in ether cases would
enable the commission to persuade the
opposing parties to come TO terms.
In this age Of great corporate and Ia
Dor combinations neither employers MOI
employees should lie left completely ri
1he mercy of the stronger party TO i
dispute regardless OF the righteous
ness Of their respective claims. The
proposed measure would be in the line
Of securing recognition Of the fact tina
In many strikes the public has itself an
interest which cannot wisely lie disre
garded-an interest not merely of gen
eral convenience, for the question Of 4
Just and proper public policy. must also