The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-08-05
NO STRIKE; THEN NO SOLDIERS


the question of wages and hours. 1t
is purely question of fair play. Are
the men justified in the demands
they make? Is 1T a commercial and
financial impossibility for the COM
pany TO grant the request? These
are the equations to be solved.
This is the way we Americans ar
rive at an answer; this is our meth
cd of determining where justice lies.
The men making the demands or
ganize a defensive and offensive al
lance which proposes that the COM
pany-in which they have not dol
lars investment--shall cease opera
lions unless the demands are met.
The company refusing the de-
mands organizes an Independent
force of operatives and seeks to re-
sist violence with violence.
The prospect of possible disorder
appeals to that class of irresponsible
hoodlums who feast on riot.o Riot
results. 1t is usually melted by mall
contents who act without the sympa-
thy of either party to the dispute.
Disorder must be quelled. State
troops are modified and rushed to
the front.
The troops succeed in keeping a
semblance of order SO that empty
trains can be moved to make pre-
text that the company has won; or
the troops fail to succeed in their eff
fort until musketry takes a toll of
human life.
Violence meets violence; force
copes with force. 1t is the railroad
versus the strikers versus the COM
monwealth.
Might wins. After interminable
conflict which disrupts public safety,
comfort and convenience, there is
resumption of service. One side ca
pitulates--the weaker side, Of course.
But where, in the meantime, has
justice flown? Who is the wiser as
to the merits of the controversy?
Who knows whether the men were
justified in their demands or wheth-
er the company was justified in it's
refusal?
1t is the most barbarous system of
resolving equity which curses the
American continent. Our Haunted
civilization fails utterly to justify its
reputation.
Why? Why cannot the American
congress make impossible future ex-
hibitions of such ignominious char
acter?
The greatest piece of constructive
law-making which can stand to the
credit of any statesman will stand to
the credit of him who evolve a work
able compulsory arbitration statute.
Gives employees on interstate public
utilities the legal right to present
their demands for more pay or
shorter hours or whatever the COM
plant may be. Clothe such requests
with legality; thereby accomplishing
by act of government what employees
are forced to now accomplish by
close organization and unionization.
Make consideration of such demands
mandatory upon the employer; and
If he is unwilling to accede thereto,
make equitable and unprecedented ar.
bitration automatically compulsory,
and make the acceptance of the arbi-
trail verdict equally mandatory upon
all parties to the dispute.
Why is this impossible? 1t will
be the greatest boon ever granted to
the great laboring citizenship of
nation which owes everything to it's
workmen. 1t will be equal advan-
tage for the employer who seeks
fair play for his men; and it will be
righteous restraint upon the employ
er who is a hog.
Why is it impossible? The consti-
nationality of federal enactment
will be questioned. Certainly the in
dividual states have authority to
pass compulsory arbitration laws af-
fecting their own individual utilities
and state commerce. With equal
certainty 1t Is possible for any state
to pass state legislation which will
govern trouble on interstate lines
passing through its territory; and
for any series of states
which given line may pass,
to agree among themselves upon
interstate legislation. Surely the |
only source of interstate protection |
Is through federal interstate legisla-
lion. Surely it. cannot be unconsti-
to prevent strikes on inter-
state lines in Michigan when it is
constitutional to pass leg
Station to prevent strikes on state
ines in Michigan. Surely there is
Iome constitutional path which trav-
lis the vale of equity and fair play
md which leads to arbitration laws
which shall render continued labor
rouble violence impossible.
The best interests of employer and
mploye demand it, whether they
ecognize the conclusion or not. The
lights of the third party to every
UGH dispute-the rights Of the pub
Ic-are more extensive than those
4 either of the other two; and the
lights of the public cry out for some
UGH relief with voice that must be
We see the need today in Michi-
an. Nor is Durand the only point
here might is to be the rule of
,.I.x cfrnnfc IF |