The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-08-30
CANADIAN LAW IS
A GOOD MEASURE
1t Works EffectuaIIy For
Strike Prevention.
4 CANCELLATION BOARD, ACTS
~ Piemises-Lawl Has Whole.
a.. some Effect'Upon CAPT.
tai and Labor.
JUSTICE Is GIVEN BOTH SIDES

The Dominion of Canada has had
for the last nine years what is
known as an Industrial disputes in
yestigation act, which has appar-
emily worked effectually for the pre-
vention of strikes and lockouts in
Industries designated as public util-
tiles, or those in which the service
affects the public generally and not
alone the employers and employees
who are at odds over questions of
wages, hours of labor and other con-
ditions affecting their own interests.
The legislation was occasioned at
the beginning by series of strikes
in coal mines and on railroads which
were the cause of much personal
suffering and loss and much disturb
larged to include all transportation
and communication operations and
others falling under the general term
of public service utilities
There had been a Cancellation act
based upon that of Great Britain as
early as 1900 and later a railway Ia
Dor disputes act which provided chief
Iy for conferences before a Council
iation Board to bring out the facts
and promote understanding and vol
untary agreement. Experience seems
to have strengthened faith in the eff
feet of complete inquiry and a full
setting forth of facts and claims,
and this led to the development of
the legislation along those lines. The
existing law was adopted by the
Dominion Parliament early in 1907.
What is chiefly made obligatory is
submitting to investigation by an
official board before any strike or
lockout can be ordered. The par
ty contemplating an order to
strike or to lockout employees is re-
CURED to notify the Government,
state that all possible means of set
Element between themselves have
been exhausted, and ask for the ap-
pointmnt of an INVESTIGATING board.
The Minister of Labor calls upon
each of the parties to name men,
Der of the board. These two may
agree upon the third, or, il they fail
to agree or prefer it. the Minister of
Labor himself will select him. I'm
til the investigation is concluded
conditions must be kept in statu quo
as to the matters in dispute, and
there can be no strike or lockout,
under severe penalty. In the first
place there must be at least 80 days
notice of the intended change of
conditions, the demand for higher
wages or different terms of any kind
on the part of workmen or of the
intention of a reduction of wages or
other unfavorable change by the
employing company. After this and
the application for investigation by
either party and the appointment of
the board, there must be full in
quiry conducted in public with pow
Ell to summon witnesses and compel
testimony.
An award Is made in accordance
with what is determined to be the
merits of the case. but there is moth
ing compulsory about it's acceptance.
1t is not an arbitration, and there is
no legal restraint except in submit
ting to the investigation and fur
nishing evidence. The purpose is to
ascertain facts with completeness,
get them fully before the public, and
appeal to the sense of justice in the
parties concerned and in the public
as the only means of enforcement
necessary. The penalties spoken of
are only for not complying with the
law to submit all questions to inves-
tigation and await the result before
ordering a strike or lockout. The
penalty section of the act reads:
ANY employer declaring or causing
a lockout contrary to the provisions
of this act shall be liable to fine of
not less than 500 nor more than
$1,000 for each day or part of a day
that such a lockout exists. Any en-
ployee who goes on strike contrary