Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-28
BROAD, RADICAL AND PATRIOTIC

Scores Of plans have been suSgested TOT thu" settle
ment of controversies between employers and esnpleysssH
in the great industries, AID one after another has been
discarded as defective for one reason <or another. 1t
has remained for war conditions to bring out for serious
consideration a plan for the settlement of differences by
having them referred to and settled by one man. Before
the war such a thing would not have been regarded as
possible. And yet it is according to that plan that all
differences in the packing industry throughout the Unit
ed States are to be settled during the war. Representa-
tives OF the owners of the great packing establishments
and Of the armies of men whom they employ have agreed
with the federal mediation board that John f. Williams,
at present fuel administrator for Illinois. shall decide all
questions relating to labor, its wages, hours and conc:-
lions Of service, SO far as the packing industry is con-
cerned. and that his decision shall in all cases be final
In the meantime there are to be neither strikes nor lock-
outs. When there arise questions needing decision the
facts shall be submitted and the arbitrator shall consider
them, and in due time render his decision. and pending
and after his decision the work shall continue without
interruption.
Is this to be the ultimate solution Of the labor prob
lem? Are disputes between employer and employe to be
adjusted on the basis Of one-man arbitration? 1t does
not seem probable. That which lis accepted as a war
measure in this case is not likely to be chosen a.. the
final method Of settlement when normal conditions are
restored. And yet the expedient now adopted may fur
nish the basi. for the final solution. The principle Of
excitement by arbitration, is old. 1t has been adopted in
many cases. AS a matter of fact. most great labor dis
putes have been settled by arbitration. hut often the ar
hitration has come after great damage has been done by
strikes Or lockouts. or the threat Of either OF them. aud
enormous injury has been inflicted on the public as well
as on all engaged in the industries affected. u
The agreement just made may prove 50 satisfa Glory
that its main principle. will be adopted and universally
applied. That principle is not that of control by a single
individual, but rather Of the adoption OF arbitration as
the definite and invariahle method Of settling ali labor
disputes. 1t will probably be found more satisfactory
under ordinary conditions TO provide for arbitration by
q commission rathes than by one man.
In the arrangement Just made there is fully recox-
nized the fact that the general public is an interested
pagty in all questions pertaining to the operation OF our
great industries. The arbitrator chosen is the represent
ants. Recognition Of that principle is among the essen
ttials. at
The new arrangement Is a most satisfactory sone
from the standpoint Of the public. It must also lie satis-
factory from the standpoint of1thoss Immediately en-
gagged. in the packing industry, for it insures continuous
Operation without waste Of investnn snt or wages. Its
adoption y IN accordancs with 4 broai spirit. The step
- = radical one. And II = ! patriotic move in every sense
~ the word. sS@s ss
If the xcvernmsnt lopss of . cipher from each 81
ahe s1tsyAod salaries s~h,shs soaas 81 the railrea4s pssa-
dsnts ~ 80 tS~ssrssstvs IA diltribut,s sA4 money Nus
agys1 a.asns M employees mo rscAivs wages insssAd