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

N"AlAuA YOU now lLat SITUATION Nds
ultimately settled. but I would like
10 point out that In the endeavor TO
settle IL I encountered the same OLD
difficulty met with In the settlement
of other disputes-the difficulty OF
getting the parties together. and once
having them together. the further
difficulty Of getting accurate infor-
nation in regard to the facts in dis
pute. When I returned 20 Ottawa the
Prime Minister said 20 me that the
Government must enact some leEis-
lation which would be helpful in pre-
venting a recurrence of troubles OF
this kind. ] remember remarking to
Sir Wilfrid that II We could prepare
a law which woul compel the parties
10 come together. and enable the pub
lie to ascertain the facts before an
open conflict arose. a long step would
be taken towards maiI>aining indus
trial peace. The Canadian Industrial
Disputes Investigation Act was the
result OF that conversation.
The law I'm many OF It's sections
Is based upon legislation in exist
ence In this country. in Great Britain.
IN Australia and New Zealand. and
in other countries. II was drawn TO
conform as nearly as possible to the
requirements OF the situation as IL
then existed in Canada. but only in
one or two particulars is IL wholly
original. One feature that distin-
cuisines IL from ether measures Is
the requirement of an investigation
before a strike or lockout takes place.
There may be. too. some originality
in the methods by which this inves-
tigation is obtained and carried out.
The Act. in a word. provides that
employers and employees shall not
strike or lock out till after they have
met together before a board on which
each is represented. and which has
full powers TO investigate all the DIFF
ferences between them. II a settle
ment can not be reached as a result
OF conference and investigation. the
relevant facts are given to the public
By the board and the parties are then
free 20 strike or lock out, as the Sase
may be: but before a strike or lock
out can ba legally declared. a Board
Of Investigation must have been ap-
pointed. and efforts made TO reach in
this way satisfactory settlement of
the questions involved.
Either side may make an appli-
cation 20 the Government for a Board
and both parties TO the dispute name
their own representative on IL. The
two so chosen meet together and Sc
lect a chairman. They are allowed
three days within which TO do this.
and failing selection at the expira-
ton OF the three days. the Minister
OF Labor himself appoints a chair
man. The three persons so appointed
become Board OF Cancellation and
Investigation. They have all the
powers of court of record; they
may compel the production of docu-
ments, subpoena Witnesses, take evil
dence under oath. The parties may
appear in person. or by representa-
tives. before the Board. which is ex-
pected to use its best efforts TO effect
settlement of differences II I'M
able TO satisfactorily terminate the
dispute the Board issues a report set
ting forth what in its opinion is the
cause of the troubles. and the merits
of the contentious of the respective
parties in the case.
Method Pursued
When the report is prepared IL is
sent to the Minister OF Labor and by
him handed TO the press for publica-
ton, and once the report is made pub
lie the parties To the dispute are free
To do as they please. They may ac-
cept or reject the finding in the
out or strike; but until the report
has been made public. work "a sup
posed to continue without Interrupt
ton.
And now. you ask me. what has
been the result Of this method OF
Investigation for IL is compulsory
I Investigation. not compulsory arbitra-
tion. that Is the essence of the enact
I ment. First Of all. Jet me mention
this: The Canadian Act 81 restrict
ed TO mines and industries IN the ma
I ture OF public utilities Il applies
only TO public service corporations,
Z TO mines. to agencies OF transporta-
ton and communication; TO RAILWAYS
steam and electric: to gas. electric
light and power plants: TO telegraph
and telephOnes-tO all classes OF
work carried on by public service cor
| pOrations. II Is not made applies BILE
TO all industries, because as a Fede-aI
measure its provisions apply 10 ali
parts OF the Dominion. and there
would be difficulty IN administering
az sucn long range IL all industries
We're included The public service
/ corporations employ the largest num-
Der OF men and are the largest con
Germs In the country. and. therefore.
inty are the most difficult to deal
with. Cessation OF operations on am
Z OF these industries are likely TO be-
most serious I'm their results
The act has been force. not only
/ under the old administration. The
/ Liberal. but also under the new. the
! conservative. and In March of NEXT
year II will have been seven wears
on the Statutes. At the time of its
l enactment II received support from
Z both sides. both In the House Of Com
| mons and the Senate. and having had
/ me test OF two administrations I
I think enough time has plapscd for
: US TO know whether the Act has anv
/ merits or not shall speak OF the
! nrst six years only az official returns
: lot THIS period are available in gov
/ eminent reports
~, Many Applications.
/ e.. Iirlnt ln" ilrFi six years. there were
/ To- boards applied for These bo1rds
I E.re DIP different provinces and Don arr
.