The labor world., 1916-09-02
WHAT is ARBITRATION?

The New York World. probably the most influen-
tia newspaper the United States. the railroad
controversy with logic that surpasses anything yet
said the situation. In editorial last Monday
the World asks the question: What is Arbtration?'
and comments follows:
The World agrees with them. But what is arbi-
tration? What has been going in the White House
day after day but arbitration, with the President of
the United States arbitrator? It is certainly arbi
tration in fact if not in form.
The railroad presidents Justly declare that is es-
sential to the right o citizen that he have his
day in court. That is what they having,
that is what the unions have been having Each side
has presented its at great length. The Presi-
dent has sat in Judgment. After hearing all the argu
ments he has made what seems to us to be fair and
commonsense proposal, which Is:
l. That the eght-hour day be recognized as the
standard OF hours and the basis of wages.
2. That small body of impartial men be appointed
to observe the workings of this eigh-hour day in
spect' to railroad operation.
3. That upon the report of this body az to the
facts either side should have the right to reopen
controversy with view to readjustments of pay and
practice.
4. That the experience of the railroads with an
eght-hour day would inevitably guide the Interstate
Comerce Commission in respect to increase of freight
rates to meet whatever financial obligations were in
Cured.
If this is not arbitration, what is it?
The railroads say eight-hour day is inpracti-
cdDe. lne men Say IL lS nOt Ine evidence SHOWS that
eighthour day is in effect certain roads. The
President try it out and whether it is uni
versay practicable not and have competent Judges
appointed to decide If that not arbitration what is
it?
When it comes to the matter of money, the Pres-
dent in effect that the public believes an eight
hour day, and must assume its share of the burden
This is true. and the public we'll afford pay its
SHARE In fortye1ght hours general railroad strike
would cost the country than freight
rates to pay for eght-hour day would exact in five
years.
The railroad unions went to the White House boast
ing that they would arbitrate nothing. President Will
son soon dubbed that arrogance out of them The
railroad managers then took the position that every
thing must be arbitrated-that concessions what
| ever could be made as preliminary to arbitration.
They cannot maintain that position. The Judgment of
the country will not support them in the maintenance
of this controversial vanity.
Presiden Wilson has presented programme of ad-
justment He the belief that it is thorouEh1y
practical and entirely fair" Nobody yet undertaken
to show wherein is not practicable and wherein it
not fair. The railroad presidents cannot reject this
plan without assuming the moral responsibility for the
! consequences
There is particular sanctity one form of
braton as distinguished from another form Of arbi-
tration No court no arbraon say whether or not
an eighthour day Is feasible in railroad question No.
body possibly know until it has been tried We can
remember when railroad managers did think that
air brakes and automatic couplers were feasible on
| freight trains. ~
President Wilson is dealing with condition not
theory The railroad presidents are dealing with a
theory President Wilson insists that they shall nut
their theory to practical test How can they refuse7
On that issue public opinion is bound to sustain
President Wilson: -. .@E s".
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