The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-02
HANDLING OF STRIKES,

An exceptionally valuable article on
the peaceful handling Of strikes, by
Marcus NJ. Marks, appears in the
American Review of Reviews. Mr..
Marks, until he retired from business,
was for a great many years a clothing
manufacturer, and, in consequence, is
thoroughly familiar with the viewpoint
Of the employer. Possessing this init
mate knowledge OF trade conditions
and the whole broad question of labor
from the employers standpoint, and,
in addition, feeling a genuine sympathy
for the employee and a capacity to
understand the employees viewpoint,
Mr.. Marks on q number Of occasions
has been engaged as conciliator in
labor difficulties His standing in New
York is unquestioned, as is evidenced
by his election as the president OF the
Borough of Manhattan at the recent
election, when he ran as the candidate
Of the fusion ticket.
Gcncrahzing. Mr.. Marks believes
that can ounce of prevention is worth
pound OF cure and that effort
should be made equally by employer
and employee to prevent the develop
ment of conditions that are likely to
eliminate in strikes or loclouts Mr..
Marks, however, has made his greatest
success in settling difficulties after
they have reached point where both
parties apparently are determined on
the insistence of their own views. Each
side then Is unwilling TO make any step
which might be construed as an cvi-
dencc of weakness and, in consequence,
both stand firmly in maintenance of Il
controversy that is equally disastrous
to both. This is the psychological mo-
mcnt for the intervention Of Il media
tor in whom both sides have conf
dence.
Mr. Marks's experience has been
mainly in textile labor disagreements,
experiences in reconciliug these differ
enccs. He emphasizes the need for pa
tiencq and for clearncss OF understand
ing. Each difficulty, he says, must be
traced TO its source, aud he adds that
many of these difficulties disappear
in the tracing, so that they arc readily
adjusted Mr.. Marks argues in favor
OF employment of trained conciliators
to adjust labor difficulties, No two
industrial disputes, be says, arc alike
and, in consequence, large measure
of common sense, together with pa
tience and infinite tact, are needed if
n conciliator is TO weigh justly the
charges and countercharges, and to
eliminate the prejudices on both sides.
He believes that the man who is able
TO adjust such differences and to keep
capital profitably employed, and Mt the
same time to satisfy tho employees, has
order of importance. Frequently ef-
forts at conciliation have been made
voluntarily and accepted in poor spirit
both by employer and employee. This
condition should not continue True
Cancellation is helpful and beneficial
in proportion that the conciliator is
tactful, intelligent and patient. Mr..
Marks argues that such Cancellation
can he offered only by public officer
with special training. He says;
Individual couciliators cannot prop
erly meet this need there should be
Sfr1,r
for investigation. mediation and ar
bltration. Salaries sufficient TO at
tract the highest grade Of talent to
this public service Should be offered
There Is much at stake-property
human life. and the happiness OF our
people. We cannot by any short cut
reach a wise and permanent solution
OF the problem of a fair division OF
the returns from industry. Conditions
and factors must be conscIcntiously
studied, safe lines OF reform followed
and meanwhile oil. not vinegar. used
TO lubricate our industrial machinery