The Washington times., 1912-07-16
LONG STEP TOWARD INDUSTRIAL PEACE

Seven men, clothed with an almost unprecedented
delegation of authority, began yesterday to nvesti-
gate and arbrae the wage dispute between the rail-
ways and their locomotive engineers, in the territory
east Of Chicago.
II is not unduly optimistic to say that this arbi-
tration promises to mark the beginning of revolu-
ton in industrial methods that may in few years
make serious strikes impossible in this country.
1t is easily the longest advance ever made toward
a national policy of mediation and arbitration in all
labor differences.
The engineers demanded increases aggregating
$7,555 900 year, or about IS per cent If granted
this would inevitably inspire corresponding demands
from other classes of employees
The engineers, denied their requests voted to
strike, and for days seemed almost certain that the
disastrous te-up would take place. Neither side
would initiate application for the good Offices Of
the Erdman laws mediation board, and finally the
board, composed of Chief Justice Knapp, of the
Commerce Court and Commissioner Of Labor Neill
volunteered its services, which at accepted
by both sides.
Events soon proved that settlement by mediation
was impossible. Neither side would yield anything
Resort was then had to arbitration. The engineers
named P. H. Morrissey, exchief of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen, and the railroads named Pres
dent Daniel E. Willard, of the Baltimore and Ohio.
Then it agreed that FIVE arbitrators should
be named by Judge Knapp and Chief Justice White.
They named Oscar S. Straus; Charles R. Van Hise,
president of Wisconsin University; Frederick N.
udson; Otto M. Edlitz, head of the Building Trades
Association and Dr. Albert Shaw.
These seven have been commissioned to take evil
dence and decide. Both sides are bound absolutely
to accept, without question, the decree Thus it is
already certain that no strike will take place.
The arbitrators may grant no part of the ad-
vance, or any part they find just. They may make
their decree retroactive, dating back to the begin
ming of the arbitration, or to the beginning Of
the whole controversy; in which latter case, nearly
81 600 900 Of back pay would have to be dis6ursed
to the men.
The railroads protest that they can grant no ad-
vance unless they privileged to increase their
revenues by advancing rates General expectation
is that compromise decree will be given, granting
part of the mems request, and that thereafter the
roads will undertake to advance rates. This will
take the controversy to the Interstate Commerce
Commission, for the arbitrators obviously have no
power to deal with this rate question.
The developments of the arbitration, however
can in no case be so important as the fact now es-
tabshed: that there will be no strike, and that a
precedent has been established that will in all prob
ability make transportation tie-ups impossible in
future. The public could we'll afford to pay some
thing in rates. for perpetual insurance against such
disaster.
If the present arbitration succeeds, it will def
nitely establish the Erdman plan as the real basis
on which to bring nationwide industrial peace. In
principle, the plan is applicable to Lawrence as
to the railroads; to New Bedford, as to the locomo
tive engineers. 1t ought to be extended as far and
as fast as can safely be DONE