The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-19

board You give 20 the workers who are
Tessntative and 20 the snpioysr The
right 20 choose his representative and if
these two are able 20 agree upon =
their oNn choosing The parties as a
consequence are more likely 70 accept
WITH good grace any decision that may
be given
rhs Alternative.
Another alternative 10 the methods OF
INVESTIGATION % individual boards. a.
the means OF preventing and settling in
austrial disputes. j. that commonly re-
TERED TO - compulsory arbitration. In
compulsory arbitration the findings OF
the boards are made binding upon the
PARTIES Doubtless there are some ad-
Nantages In such n method. and II
court could be found which could be all
wise. and be relied upon to give de-
ctsions that could work Injustice 60 none
there would be every advantage In COM
pelling. on pain OF penalty. an acuuisS-
cence BY the parties TO an Industrial dis
hut there - nothing more variable than
Industrial conditions. We are living to-
Gay In an age OF competition. IL il not
competition as between industry and in
dustry In one locality alone. nor conipe-
ution between the industries OF one con-
tinent and the Industries of another con-
unent. Under these conditions. n -
almost impossible to expect any tribunal
% be able to do adequate justice 20 both
labor aud capital. ana the play OF eco
monte forces h. more likely 20 determfn.
IN the long run what IL possible han the
momentary decision OF any particular
court. Where the main business OF a
tribunal Is that OF investigation and -
known by both arties to be such. the
hndtngs OF such tribunal are more
likely 90 be acceptable and accepted.
have been revealed. and the disclosure OF
conditions as they are. than are the de-
Srees OF a court imposed by law upon
he parties. and enforced 10y penalties
imposed by the state.
1T Is much easier too. TO have the
parties submit their differences 20 a
tribunal for adjustment. when ~ Is
known 60 them that they are not bound
Tor all time by decision which 20 them
may appear either inadequate or unjust.
Experience under the Canadian act has
shown that cnce the stage OF investtca-
ton has been entered upon. the main
purpose Of the tribunal has been served.
The truth once disclosed and all condi-
lions known makes the settlement OF
difference in most cases a comparatively
easy matter. The threat OF compulsion.
tends often to irritate rather than modi-
fy a situation.
To show the benefits or investigation.
one has but to ask the question. Why
10 men 20 on strike DO men strike for
the pleasure OF striking DO they strike
In order that their wages may cease and
debt or do they strike because they be
lleve this T. the only weapon left 20
them for obtaining what Is. iu their opin-
Ion. Justice In an industrial situation;
Il must be apporent TO all that the lat
ter reason alone accounts for action
which means 50 much in the wnv or
privation to those who enter upon It,
Vow the Canadian act AFFORDS TO
workingmen new method Of obtaining
Justice, a method which they have not
hitherto had. II gives 20 them the right
OF full inquiry into their grievance
II gives to them the right 81 having this
inquiry made by a tribunal which is In
part. Of their own choosing IL gives 10
them an opportunity TO Law the iustlce
OF their own case before tho public A. =
whole. and IL does all OF this at the ex-
pense of the state. ana without causing
them to incur the loss OF a single dollar
In wages, to say moth ing OF possible per
manent loss OF position. FINALLY ?,
leaves them stin the weopon OF strike
as the last resort II after inquiry has
taken place they still feel that Justice
has not been obtained. And what IL true
OF the workman seeking Justice through
the medium OF a lockout or strike So
long a these weapons are left as a last
resort, there IS surely the strongest
reason why any course which NAV oh
waite their use and which may better
serve To secure the end they ara intended
20 meet should be taken advantage OF
before they are employed. 81
Statistics Can't Tell.
Vow Just let me say this further word
IN reference TO the results obtained un-
der a measure OF this Kind. statistics
may tell one story. but they can never
tell the whole story. We ali know that
a very small fire eNtiuguiSh ed may mean
the avoidance Of "A great CONFEDERATION.
quences Of a single occurrence IA the
Ease Of loss oCCasioued by FIRE il equally
true OF the possible destructive cOnse-
puences OF Industrial strife once COM
menced in single industry and limited
NJ the outset 20 n COmparatiVely small
number of persons. In dealing with
prevention. statistics are wholly made
quafe to coHss. an impression or the
extent OF the Serylc. rendered and tUis
must be kept In mind IN estimating the
true value or measure Of this kind.
Let me cite one or two cases wnirE
came under my notice iu the course or
inquiries into certain disputes In Can
ada before the Industrial disputes III
vestiEation act had become law In the
Dominion.
n Few yeors ago e newly formed rail-
way brotherhood began the organization
or local unions among the employees OF
one Of the trHnSroutiuSntal railways
The organization OF tie unions was fol-
wages this demand being refused
strike was ordered. but the strike prov
upon the device % Gripping the railway
IN another direction. by collusion with
leaders of another organization In this
country. they succeeded in stopping
work In the mines from which tine com
pauy was accustomed tn obtain coal for
- engines, with the result that instead
british columbia. the company was
obliged 90 send Co Japan FOR coal. Vow
he men who struck IN the coal mines
had mo- idea that they were iu any way
involved iu "a 4vuu9f etc rfrgEa. brf al
tlEatiou TeVeal cd beyond the sHaI-
ow 81 9 DOUBT that huf FOR tho collusio-
referred to the strike In the coal mines
" oull never have taken place. once they
" ere convinced through the production
~ teleErams ana other communications
that they had been deceived IN this par
flrular. the strike "a the mines was
speedily ended hy the mon who we're fu-
VOWED. but tho situation Of the gtrik-
ers In The newly formed brotherhood on
Inc railway was more eNasucratinc suIt
luN eetI CATION revealed the fact that tho
mae who had ORGANIZED tho brotherhood
wFs 90 the time o. his service Boo this
rpunerttuu also Bon the employ ~ the
ailwar company az a secret service spy.
and was reporting 60 tho COMPANY tho
names of the persons becoming members
- the lodges which he was helping Co
brotherhood vanished.
once this CircuuI stance became known I
fn the members ~ the organization they
speedily Withdrew their meurbership. the
stfIh" was declared 200 900 end. and the
brotherhood vanished. Sow 800 Of tne~r
Unfortunate ODrurreurta which involved
Do" sands UI men. accustomed tho loss ur