The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-04
wednesday. February 4, 1914.
LOOKING TO INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

-SOStNG TO INDUSTRIAL PEACE.
Although the United States in gen.
erai and West Virginia In particular
are enjoying a measurable freedom
nom serious conflicts between the EN-.
pioyer and employe the present peace
10 not assured from the experiences
o. the past. Anything that may con-
tribute 10 a definite termination or
composition OF the constantly occur
ring dimculties we have heretofore
been subjected to through strikes and
lockouts will be OF incaluiabie bene-
MT 10 both sides OF the controversy
and the general public. which is often
alphabetically effected. In Canada a
law prevails which is said to have
worked wonders in satisfactorily COM
posing strikes in that country. The
West Virginia Board OF Trade has
been Informed OF this measure. and
with Characteristic energy and
thoughtfulness for the betterment OF
conditions in the state. secured the
services or the author OF the law TO
make two explanatory addresses on
The subject. one in Wheeling on the
evening OF February 18th. and an.
other I'm Charleston on the succeeding
Night.
The author OF the Canadian Indus
trial Dispute Investigation Act. Of
which so much has been said and
written. comes TO Wheeling not only
with the prestige of authorship but
the honor of being a former Minister
or Labor OF the Dominion, and we
may expect through him TO get a
clear insight into the workings OF the
law which may prove valuable and
suggestive for adaptability to our own
needs in this direction. The provis-
ions of the act are very simple. and
In nowise compulsory on the part of
either labor or capital TO accept the
results OF an Investigation conducted
under II. The board OF inquiry con
stituted under the act has all the
powers OF a court OF record IL may
compel the production of documents
subpoena witnesses and take evidence
under oath, but its duty is primarily
that OF board of Cancellation and in.
quiry. and only secondarily that of a
court. The publicity features OF the
Investigation are not 10 be minimized.
as this serves to acquaint the public
with the causes OF the disputes. and
opinion formed from this source Is Of
ten a restraining influence and
powerful aid to Industrial peace.
We do not see why law OF this
character. working well for the happi-
ness and peace OF Canada cannot be
applied TO this country. We shall.
however. know more about this when
we have heard the Hon. w L. Mac.
kenzie King explain Its provisions in
detail. Since the enactment OF the
law six years ago the Dominion has
known no cessation in the continuous
operation OF any OF its great agencies
OF communication. such as steam and
electric railways. or other public utili.
ties; neither have the national indus.
tries been afflicted In any way. This
remarkable record may not be con
tinuously maintained. but IL seems
quite possible that never again will
the interests OF the Canadian public
be injured through the threatening or
actual outbreak OF sudden and ex.
tensive Industrial conflicts. such as
frequently occurred In Canada prior
10 the enactment Of the law. and stlI
occur. with enormous and widespread
damage. in the United states