University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1914-04-26
y. IN THE LAND WHERE LABOR RULES

cations of employers and employees,
nominated by themselves, and one of
the state court judges as chairman,
with vote only in case of tie. This
board has power to regulate hours,
wages and conditions of labor and
employment upon petition from the
parties interested. Such regulations
are set out in the form of agreements
which must be obeyed by all parties.
under penalty for violation of agree
ment.
The chief feature of the arbitration
court system is the provision for COM
pulsory arbitration with or without
petition from interested parties. The
Arbitration Act, framed to encourage
collective bargaining, to facilitate ap-
plications to the court. and to assure
the worker such benefits as may be
derived from organization. virtually
creates the Industrial Union. This may
or may not be a trades union but is an
organization necessary for the admin
istration of the law. Such organiza-
tions, whether of employees or employ
ers, must subscribe to certain rules.
as to reports. use of funds, number
and character of membership. En-
ployes and employers may settle dis
putes and conditions of labor by indus
trial agreements-which are register
ed and have the force of awards made
by law. A number of such agreements
have been voluntarily made. They
are enforceable against the parties and
such other organizations and persons
as signify their intention to be bound
by an agreement. Failing in agree
ment, disputes are settled by refer
ence to the court. In the Common
wealth this consists of Judge of the
/ High Court. The court, according to
a statement by G. II. Knibbs, Of Mel
I bourne, the Commonwealth authority
may (and on the application of an
original party to the dispute must) ap-
point two assessors at any stage of the
dispute. In the states the president
of the tribunal usually judge of the
supreme COURT is assisted by members
chosen by and appointed to represent
the employers and employees respect
lively. Cases are brought before the
! court either by employees or employers.
The consent of a majority of union
voting at specially summoned meet
ing is necessary for the institution of
a case; the Commonwealth Act re-
quires the certificate of the registrar
that it is a proper case for considera-
ton.
The Arbitration Court has varied
and numerous powers. The breadth
of its jurisdiction may be seen from
the Commonwealth definition of lin
dustrial matters:'
"All matters relating to work, pay
wages, reward, hours, privileges
rights or duties of employers or en-
ployes, or the mode, terms, and con-
ditiOns or employment or non-employ.
ment; and in particular, but without
limiting the general scope of this def.
milton, the term includes all matters
pertaining to the relations of employ.
ers and employees, and the employment
preferential employment, dismissal oI
sons. or of persons of any partic'
ular sex or age, or being or no
being members of any organiza
ton, association or body; and any
claim arising under an industria
=. agreement; and all questions of wha
is fair and right in relation to an!
industrial matter having regard to tn,
} interests of persons Immediately con
; cerned and OF society as a whole.
: Surely, this definition is broad enough
) to satisfy any workingman.
|, Prevents and Settles.
The object of the court, to summar
/ ize further provisions of the law, il
to endeavor to prevent and settle in
dustrial disputes; and when they hav,
: occurred to reconcile the parties. Th
court may fix and enforce penalties TO
r breaches of awards, restrain contra
5 ventions of the Acts and exercise al
l the usual powers of a court of law
: The court may prescribe minimum
5 rate of wage; it may also, as regard
l employment, direct that preference o
r employment or service shall be give
: to members of unions. An opportunit
t is offered for objection to a preference
order, and the court must be satisfie
e that preference is desired by a major
= ity of the persons affected by tn
award who have interests in common
t with the applicants. The Court is t
n bring about an amicable agreement,
8 possible to conciliate and not arbitrats
4 and such agreement may be made a
e award. In order to prevent a matte
e coming into dispute, the president @
j the Commonwealth Arbitration COur
Q may convene a comnulsory conferepc