New-York tribune., 1908-09-27
LABOR ARBITRATION
Nr. CHurchiHs Substitute for Com
pulsOry Method.
London. september 1G.

Arbitration is the supreme goal in Industrial
a. in International disputes If il could be made
compulsory -here would be neither labor strikes
nor wars; but human nature needs great deal
Of leaveuing before the obligation 10 keep the
peace can be accepted without reserve. Govern
r1euus are unwilling 10 have arbitration forced
upon them without opportunities for deliberate
choice. and trade unions are equally reluctant TO
commit themselves to the compulsory system.
one labor congress after another has passed
resolutions against compulsory arbitration as it
IS practised in New Zealand and other colonies
There is al obvious reason. II is a form Of dis
armament So long as a strike can be ordered IN
the last resort the forces Of organized labor are
armed with a formidable weapon. As soon as
arbitration ceases 10 be optional trade unionlsrn
Is dsarnled. Negotiation takes the place or
<Ectual conflict and there is a loss Of aggressive
force Capitalists and employers may be dis
posed 10 surrender their rights in industrial dis
putes 70 an external tribunal; but worknen are.
jealous Of their liberties and not disposed 10 lay
down their arms before any permanent tribunal.
When strikes became inpraCticable under a
ju1ge-rnade law organized labor could not de-
fend itself: and It would be equally helpless, in
the opinion Of its recognized leaders if it were
forced 10 submit every industrial issue TO
permanent tribunal for decision.
NJ Winston Churchill ambitious 10 play a
great part in British politics and possessed OF
passion for action. has undertaken TO popularlze
arbitration by establishing q permanent tribunal
The Board Of Trade is empowered by the con-
citation law 10 offer its services whenever there
Is serious dispute between capital and labor.
It's Intervention may be accepted OF declined Dy
one CT the other: and mediation Is tentative
rather than decisive. Mr.. ChurchlI mas con-
vinced himself that official mediation would be
her n u
gained tribunal in existence ready for work at
any moment. So he has set up the mechanism
for an arbitration court with three or five Judges
10 be chosen from three panels one panel is
70 be made slu Of representatives Of the working
classes and another Of employers Of Unbiemlshed
Reputation and the third panel is to inclnoe
suitable candidate for chairman. The analogles
Of the Hague tribunal are closely followed. Ar
htrstion is not compulsory every nation being
al liberty 70 reserve questions or honor ana VITA
principles and 10 fight rather than 10 submit us
case 70 an international court for settlement
But there is a permanent court, with lists Of
aEbitrators. and the facility with which II can
be called into use helps 10 make II serviceabe.
4Ir ChurchiIrs court viii be equally accessible.
Tith panels bri1nning over with representative
Hen. Il can be brought into operation whenever
--srs Is crisis in any important industry ahd
Z settlement IS desired by both sides
The analogies are effective except az one
point. The chairman Of anNnternational tribunal
can be easily found among the jurists Of
Neutral country The chairman of an industrial
tribunal, who viii give the decisive vote when
strike is 10 be avoided by mutual concession
cannot be chosen with equal facility. Mr-
Churchill can name score Of eminent men
conspicuous for practical sagacity and impair
tslity. but when he has filed his panel trade
unionlsts may not be willing 10 trust them.
LoEs James Of Hereford, LORD Rosebery, Lord