The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-24
(By Shelby M. Harrison.)


 (The Lawrence strike lasted over three months although the State Board of Arbitration and Consolidation In Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and most successful in the country. The recurrent labor troubles in both the anthracite and bituminous coal fields and the wave of industrial un- rest which has spread over New En- gland and New Jersey since the Law renee strike, make MT. Harrison s analysis of haphaZard methods for settling industrial peace, if anywhere, the principles Of scientific manage ment should be applied. Experience shows at least that it is high time to broaden our current peace move ment to include the bitter industrial strike which is unmistakbly growing. Exclusive Service The Survey Press
 Bureau.)
 Public peace is getting a new mean ing. The old definition Of peace, al- though widely accepted, is an anar- chronism. It dates to the time when the chief disturbances were caused by governmental policies. But a growth of commercial power until it at least rivals government strength has oc- cured, bringing with it potent influ- ences for political peace: This very developement, however has brought new conditions that disrupt peace. When to settle industrial. disagree mentS property is destroyed and people killed. war exists.
 Maybe half of the states, by provid- ing some kind of arbitration or concil- iation boards, recognize that the pub lie has some interest and responsible ity in industrial disturbances. From time to time congressional committees have made preliminary investigations of industrial controversies. These however, seem to be of more value as precedent than as system foG permanently solving difficulties. La bor troubles continue to arise. They and emphasize the inadequacy of ou1 present methods for quick and just settlement.
 To see absolute lack of uniformity in public machinery for investigating controversies and for setting the 1s- sues clearly before contending parties in order. to arbitrate difficulties and lead to conciliation, it is only nec- essary to review briefly the incidents of a number of recent strikes.
 Early in 1910 betweeM 17,000 and 10000 coal miners in Westmoreland County, Pa, quit work. No clear statement of issue was made public and no mediating agency was on hand to act at the beginning of the strike Two communications from the strik- CTS were ignored by the operators Six months after the strike began a committee of the Pittsburgh Chamber Of Commerce asked both sides to place before "an impartial, unpreju- diced committee,the differences which are yours" The large operators re- fused. At the end of twelve months the rules committee of the House of Representa- tives after a hearing de cided not to make a federal investga- tion of the strike. After the strike had continued fifteen months the companies finally won by bringing strike breakers into the district, and by prolonging the fight until the fi- nanciaI drain upon the United Mine Workers treasury became too great Millions of dollars were lost yet the only way in which the state recog- nized the strike was by detailing constabulary to service in the strike zone.
 Not quite three years ago 1,700 tex tile workers in Ludlow, Mass, struck because Of wage disagreement Three days after the whole body of workers went out the secretary of the Massachusetts State Board Of Con- ciliation and Arbitration offered the