The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-12-17

employers who have obeyed and ex-
perienoed its. humane Influence and
benefcient results.
But trade agreement Is an unmis-
taxable recognition OF the independ-
Bence OF labor and capital, Il Is the
concrete. expression OF cooperative
EFFORT between these two dominant
factors in our Industrial life. 1t Is
an acknowledgements OF the rights
and obligations Of the workmen and
the rights and obligations OF the em-
pioyer; it, formulation gives the
workman knowledge OF the em-
ployer's business and It gives the
empioye q knowledge: OF the work
mans needs and wants. which II Is
essential that each should have In
fairly determining all questions OF
wages and conditions OF employment.
Altogether the conferences which
leads up TO the discrimination of a
trade agreement opens the way for
dissipating many false Impressions
and clearing up Observation-Disclosures
which Of themselves frequently lead
to serious -conseouences.
In discussing the subject of fndus-
trial peace It Is highly Important
that the trade agreement be consid-
cred in connection with the strike
and the lockout. Occasionally, when
parties to these agreements complain
because Of some feature which they
believe should either be Incorporated
or excluded. and frequently the OBJ
jectionable element is magnified 10
such an extent that the essential and
really good. features are lost sight of.
It seems to me that proper appre-
citation of this system OF conducting
industry can only be had by contrast
Ing its effects and results accruing
from the strike and lockout. The
trade agreement is in substance and
effect the antithesis of the strike and
lockout. 1t will not. OF course. pre-
vent all strikes or obviate all lock-
outs. but IN the past It has reduced
and in the future 1t will to greater
extent reduce he-enumber OF indus
trial disputes and minimize their In
tensity. IS. "a
In some quarters both hopes and
fears have been expressed that 1t was,
the purpose OF the Trade. Agreement
Department without the consent of
the parties Interested to intervene In
every controversy that might arise
between employer and employee and
abrogate to. itself authority to pass
upon the merits of questions in dis
pute. 1t may not be amiss at tffisl
time 10 quote that section of the Con-
stitution Of the National Civic Feder-
alton from which the Trade Agree
ment Department. derives its author
ity: This department. either as al
whole or in subcommittee by 1t APP
pointed, shall. when requested by
both parties to dispute, act as al
forum to adjust and. decide upon
questions at issue between workers
and their employers, provided in its
opinion the subject is one of suffic-
lent Importance The. department
assumes no power of arbitration un-
less such powers be conferred by
both parties to q dispute" 1t will
thus be seen that power is not del
egated to the National Civic Fedora
ton by either the organizations of
labor or the representatives of capt.
tai to pass upon or render judg~I
ment in any controversy that may
arise. It's chief function is to in
culcate and disseminate those. prin-
ciples oftcosoperative effort that will
make for peace, equity and amity I
the forces 6f labor and cap
ital, and where We can be helpful
In averting a rupture or in adjusting I
a dispute, We are ready and anxious,
under these circumstances. to act.
q 81 d =.