New-York tribune., 1908-07-20
HINT ERON TIE NORTR.

During the sixteen months which have
e1ansed since the Canadian industrial disputes
investigation act went into effect the law has
been put TO the test frequently enough TO admit
accurate measurement Of its efficiency. The
estimate of its workings Just made by Or. Vic
Tor 6 clark in Bulletin No. IS of the Bureau
of Labor at Washington contains wealth of
observations which neither employer nor labor
ing man in cur country can proftably ignore
DESPITE wide differences between Canada and
the United States in economic and social con-
difions the Northern method of preventing
strikes which affect public utilities has virtues
free of time and place
The act applies only 10 public utilities. but
under this class the Canadians have wisely in
clnded mines. Strikes and lockouts are pro-
hibffed until an official investigation before
specially appointed tribunal has been held and
the grounds OF TIE dispute have been made pub
lie This holds not only against incorporated
enterprises and labor unions, but against indi-
vi6rals Unlike similar Australasian statutes,
the act does not forbid cessation of industry
after the official hearing; the sole function.
therefore of the boards of conciliation and arbi-
fraton is to bring The great power of public
opjnion into play. Their success in this direction
is manifested by the forestalling or quick terni-
nation of no less than twenty eight out OF thirty
strikes arising in the first ten months of the
acts existence. DR. Clark further states that
friends OF the act claim that some disputes
THAT otherwise might have resulted in a strike
--hava been settled without board, because the
.-y,artfes We're unwilling 10 have public in
''vesfigation" What reputation has the law
earned among Canadians? The report says:
No e,,,ployer was found who was not favor
able 20 the law. better than no legislation.
SO far as il applied TO railroads Employers
who have had actual experience with the act
favor its general policy, If not all its details
Some large employers are outright partisans OF
,,-s.eeY,f Get 10 make the awards of the boards
binding on both parties. The attitude Of labor
toward the act SIS divided. Only organized labor
hse been in a position TO express sn opanton
Tins FAR There is some sentiment I'm favor Of
the among the rank snd file Of the WORKERS
though some of the most representative leaders
are opposed ~ the law Some union ofhcers
who 81 first were in opposition tn the act are
favorable TO il. At the same time the
principal opposition TO the act has manifested
thelf among the unions to which IL most di-
rectly applied Among the public most Of those
who ave practically familiar with labor matters,
though employers wage earners ap-
prove the method Of the act weIl as its gen
ersl object. The effect of the law has heen 10
ereste a public attitude toward industrial
disputes. namely. that the public has an interest
iB many industrial disputes quite as immediate
and important in its way as that of the
ficfing parties.
The last sentence IS panegyric in itself but
The Investigation seems 10 overlook the proba-
..iiify that the act is more an effect than cause
of the new public attitude referred 10. Never
fheless the infuence IF law and popular opin-
ion being reciprocal. the educative power Of the
former cannot ne denied This Is a minor at
traction TO Americans. though; awake 10 our
vitsl interest in quarrels which threaten To
step our streetcars or shut off the gas, we need