The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-09-15
UNCLE SAM WORKS
AS PEACEMAKER
Has Settled Great Many Disputes
Between Employers and
Employees.
WILL LISTEN TO GOVERNMENT
Both Sides In Labor Controversies,
Unwilling to Yield to Each other,
Will Accept Federal
Mediation.


Uncle Sam, in recent years, has been
playing an increasingly important rold
of peacemaker between employers
and employees who become involved
in disputes that result In strikes OF
tockouts
Uncle Sam has acted chiefly through
the division of mediation and conclla.
tion of the department of labor, but in
some cases other agencies are brought
into service. The work of this dlvi-
sion of the department of labor is Of
a purely industrial character. Ques-
lions affecting railway operation are
specially excepted from the jurlsdic-
tiun of the department of labor and
! placed under the United States board
OF mediation.
The work of the departments me-
diatlon and conciliation division has
been rapidly increasing, Since the
department was created on March I,
1913, Approximately 100 labor dis.
putes, involving actual or threatened
strikes, have been amicably adjusted.
In approximately a score of cases the
departments efforts have failed. In
the cases adjusted more than 10000
worknen We're directly affected and
more than 100000 indirectly affected.
"The reason why the department Of
labor is SO often successful in pre-
venting or settling strikes by media
ton ana conclliation," said Secretary
of Labor Wilson the other day, "lies
in the fact that both dlsputne par
ties recognize the government as a
superior agency. They will listen to
the government when they viii not
listen to any individual or agency"
Mo Hint Of compulson.
One Of the curious things il that
neither in the law authorizing this
new work for industrial peace, nor
in the methods pursued under the
law is there the slightest hint of
compuIsiou. The government agents
do not even seek to arbitrate. Here
is the working plan:
Upon the Invitation Of either dis
putant or upon It's own initiative, the
government steps up to the combat |
ants, and, without even going between /
them or attempting to pull them apart, |
says, Here, don't you think this
ought to stop? If so, let's all get TO-
gether and fix up some kind of agree
mcut,' 1t generally works.
A strike is a little war. All the pas
sion entering into war enters into
strikes. The difference is that the
government now supplies between
groups Of citizens the superior agency
for settling disputes lacking between
nations.
A strike is not only like war; it Is
ike any kind fight. Both sides
want to quit-but quit winner! In
he ordinary course, surrender" is
lot considered until the one or the
,ther side is down and out. Compro-
Mise is disliked because compromise
$ not victory
The would-be peacemaker must be
vastly superior person than either
or he'll get beat up. Di-
,lomacy enters in choosing the ways
nd means Of pointing out how all
auds can clay down arms" and still
save their faces Though unwilling
0 yield direct to the other an inch
n position or a comma in their respec-
i've demands, both disputants are
eueraly willing to concede much at
he suggestion Of the government.
Common Sense Big Factor.
Experience has convinced the au-
l0rities Of the department. Of labor
hat successful strike settlement is
enerally matter of inducing all par
es concerned to use common sense.
he labor spokesmen are not always
lformed of the general conditions in
ne business of the employer. They
lay also not be informed MS to wage
nd time conditions at other poiQts in
ler own industry. They frequently
o not know that the same issues for
.hich they are fighting have been
ought out before.
/ - isNg ttAl sum LuNlO btIOIt luDDIg
part Of the duty Of efficient cOncilta-
)rs when the demands are exorbitant
o kill the goose that lays the golden
yg-i. e., to unfairly harass the en-
Ioyer and perhaps drive him out Of
lsiness-to further limit the market {
II any one END of labcY-is bad t
lsiness for labor. This is always a
lctor when the agents Of the depart /
ent Of labor deal with particular I
rikes. The tendency lies towards G
big industrial degelopment-the A I
Of wages and working i
,ndidons in the various industries. n
s cases multiply a record upon !
hch to build a standardized struc- s
re is being created. t