Evening star., 1914-04-10
Commission Considering Medi-
alton and Cancellation for
All Labor Disputes.
FAVORS SYSTEM IN LINE
WITH THE RAIL WAY PLAN
Views Announced at the Conclusion
Of Exhaustive Hearings-Employ-
ers and Employees Approve.

termed a1ter the railroad DOar0 ofSdfllZeu
under the Newlands act. to serve as con-
ciliators and mediators in all industrial
disagreements. without the power of com
pulsory arbitration, will eventually be
established, is the opinion of the United
States commission on industrial relations.
General sentiment in favor of such a
commission was expressed by both en-
ployers and employees during the hear
ings. which closed yesterday. covering
six of the largest industries in the coun-
try. on the general subject of collective
bargaining, conciliation and arbitration.
Frank P. Walsh. chairman of the COM
mission. indicated this morning that the
members will not be averse to recon-
mending such a board of mediation, but
suggested that it may be found best to
have state boards rather than one fed
eral board.
The commission is meeting in executive
session today and tomorrow, summarizing
the testimony given at the hearings dur
ing the week and planning for a series
Of hearings throughout the country
These hearings, it is expected. will cover
an entire year. All members of the
commission are here except Austin b
Garretson of Iowa, who was called to a
railroad wage conference They will
remain here for another series of hear
ings, which starts Monday. inquiring into
efficiency systems and their effect or
industrial relations.
List of Commission Members.
Members of the commission are Franz
P. Walsh, Missouri: John r. Connors
Wisconsin; Mrs. ]. Borden Hartman
Washington and New York: Frederick
A. Delano, Illinois; Harris Weinstock
California; S. Thurston Ballard Kentucky
John B. Lennon, Illinois; James O'Connell
District of Columbia, and Austin 3. Gar
retson, Iowa w. o. Thompson is coun
sci.
I'VE are very much pleased with tho
hearings said Chairman Walsh this
, morning: I'VE have secured material
that will be Of great value to the com
mission. From what We were told by
| witnesses at these hearings we expect tt
reach constructive conclusions.
I'VE were encouraged to find such al
apparent absence of hostile feeling be-
| tween the employers and employees. As
| far as we could learn there is a frank
disposition to appreciate each others
position and arrive at a harmonious set.
tlement of all industrial troubles
Most Of the witnesses, both for the
employers and the employees, agreed thai
a government commission for mediation
like the Newlands board in railroad
troubles. should be extended to all in
dustries. providing for mediation with
out compulsory arbitration. The COM
missNn is in a receptive mind on this
propoA'tion.
Wei believe that the hearings just
closeu afforded the freest and fairest ex
preston of industrial sentiment, from
both sides. that has ever been obtained. -
Charges Unfair Treatment.
Charge that the Western Federation
of Miners had not been treated fairl,
in the Calumet copper strike and def1ni
ton of the Canadian industrial dispute:
act as slavery was made by Samue
Gompers. president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. yesterday.
The principle of compulsory arbitration
in labor disputes was criticized by boil
employers and employees.
| The Western Federation of Miners, Mr.
Gompers said, had been given bat
| name by its enemies and by oil,
declaration of principles adopted Year,
ago. He declared the members of tn.
peaceably and fairly at Calumet. an,
| that for the last few years the organiza
ton has been conservative in its genera
attitude.
Defense of Canadian Law.
w. Mackenzie King. former minister o
labor of Canada, defended the Canadian
industrial disputes act, under which EN-
ployers and employees are forced to defer
drastic action until arbitration has beer
tried. He called it an excellent methot
of avoiding labor troubles. He said ht
favored any means of reaching labor dis
putes which would give publicity.
Mr.. Gompers placed responsibility fol
most labor strikes ON unorganized OIL
newly organized men. and said that mos,
trouble of this kind is caused by the
mental attitude of employers and EN-
pIoyes He said he would not object II
a federal mediation and Cancellation
board for industrial disputes. except fol
the danger that efforts to bring about
Testimony of James A. Emery.
Belief in governmental authority to in
vestigate labor troubles affecting the
public generally was expressed by James
Emery of the National Association OF
Manufacturers who said he approved oi
mediation and conciliation. opposed com
uulsory arbitration and was against the
CLOSED shop.
S. Thurston Ballard of Kentucky. d
member of the commission, declared he
believed progress toward industrial peace
would be promoted by the formulation
by a commission of employers and EN-
pioyes of a declaration of principles set
ting forth the basic things for which
both sides stand.
r-o xrrrrrnr rror