New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-14
WAGE FARMERS
INTERESTS FIRST
Secretary Wilson's Idea OF
Duty of Department
of Labor.
OPERATORS BLAMED
IN ANNUAL REPORT
Says Colorado Coal Strike Could
Have Been Fairly
Settled.

Washington. Dec. 3.-Secretary Will
son Of the Department OF Labor, In his
annual report, submitted to-day, ex-
presses the conviction that had the
mine owners in the Calumet copper
region and the Colorado coal fields
dealt with strike situations in their in
ception, "had they been on the ground
and personally IN charge, there Is rea-
son TO believe that no strike would
have occurred" lie says ultimate re-
sponsibility must rest upon the
owners"
The report is devoted chiefly TO re-
view of the labor disputes the depart
ment has successfully medisted during
the last year.
primarily the Department Of La
Dor must conserve in industrial dis
putes the interests Of the wage earners
OF the United States. Such is its duty
under the law OF its creation, the first
section of which charges it with re-
sponsibility for their general welfare,
while the eighth makes this response
bility specific as TO labor disputes.
"But though the Department Of La
Dor represents primarily the wage
earning interests in labor disputes, its
ideal is 10 make its representation sim
liar in character TO that of the De-
partment of State, which, while repre-
senting the interests of this country in
disputes between IL and other coun-
tries, does so with fairness toward all
countries. Accordingly, the policy Of
the Department of Labor, though IL eX-
ecutes its mediation and Cancellation
functions as the governmental repre-
sentative OF wage earning interests, is
20 do so without partisanship or preju-
dice, but with fairness 10 every inter
est concerned.
at should be understood, therefore,
that mediation does not mean srbitra-
ton, compulsory or otherwise. Nor is
IL in any other sense a judicial func-
tion. The function is one OF negotia-
ton. Neither the secretary nor COM
missioners of concilation whom he ap-
points are arbitrators.
"What the commissioners of concilia-
tion seek TO do is TO bring employer
and employe together so that they may
work out their differences between
themselves peaceably and smicably. as
business men with legitimate differ
ences to adjust. When commissioners
fail in that way 20 get employe and
employer together, mediation is re-
sorted 20. The commissioners negoti-
ate between representatives of the en-
ploye and representatives of the en-
ployer in an effort 10 find some mutu-
ally satisfactory basis of agreement.
Failing also in that the commissioners
endeavor 10 get the conflicting parties
70 agree TO basis Of arbitration, the
~ l. l., d. g..
actually in dispute.
at is not a reasonable objection TO a
commissioner of Cancellation that he
belongs to a workers organization, nor
that he belongs TO an employers or
ganization. His important Qualifics-
tons are not ignorance of or indif-
ference TO the interests of either party
or both, but tact, fairness and good
feeling in negotiations, in addition TO
competency with reference TO technical
aspects of the matters in dispute"
IN the Colorado coal strike, the re-
port explains, one Of the commission
ers was a miner whose labor affilia-
tions pointed to possible sympathy
with the strikers; the other a mine
operator whose business affiliations
pointed possibly 70 sympathy with the
mine operators. But both were fair
minded as we'll as technically compe-
tent men.
In the Colorado coal strike, the re-
port says, responsibility must attach
20 the management and owners as well
az 20 the strikers. an its early stages
this strike could have been settled on
fair terms had the proposals of the
Department of Labor for arbitration
by an unbiased board chosen by mutual
agreement been promptly accepted"
In discussing the distribution of
wage learners Secretary Wilson says:
What is needed is timely and wide
spread information concerning labor
conditions in every part of the coun-
try. By Systematically bringing some
jobless men and some 'manless jobs
together on a national scale, the nee
essary first steps will have been taken
toward complete removal of what is
perhaps the most potent cause of la
Dor disputes -inyoluntary unemploy-
ment.
with seasonal variations OF en-
ployment nationally adjusted, with &C
cidental disturbances to employment
nationally provided for, with individ-
ual delinquencies in respect of en-
ployment better understood by nation
al public opinion, and with such
ameiiorations of industrial distress as
this department is now preparing TO
offer, a right beginning will have been
made"
Secretary Wilson renews his last
wears Recommendation that Congress
prohibit interstate transportation of
armed private police or guards for
either side in industrial disputes.