The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-30
"voluntary Compulsion ?"

A possibility which is looming out OF
the present confused railroad labor sit
uation is that of voluntary compulsory
arbitration. Such an idea sounds like a
contradiction in terms, but it is merely
an extension of the contract principle to
differences liable to arise in the future
in addition to those Immediately up for
settlement. 1t is not a theory, but has
a good deal of successful experience be-
hind it. Contracts for terms of years,
covering not alone the wages, hours and
other conditions at the moment, but pro-
viding that all similar questions during
the life of the contract must be settled
under some prescribed mode OF procedure,
have stood the test in number of i'm.
portant trades, and have been renewed
upon expiration.
Ii is perhaps more difficult 20 apply in
the steam railroad world because of the
magnitude OF the interests involved on
both sides, and the strong objection
which has grown up to entrusting the
decision of matters of such moment to
outsiders having little or no practical
knowledge of the problems at stake. To
meet this objection the plan of joint
commission has been proposed, made up
of actual representatives of the roads
and the men, in equal numbers, to be
appointed by the president, and before
whom all differences must come before
radical action can be taken. This idea
of the equally balanced commission is
not new one either; it is common
practice in England and has been EN-
ployed in many of the contracts of the
IL. 81
means that case must be strong enough
To convince one or more representatives
of the opposite side before a decision or
compromise can be reached. Meanwhile,
matters must remain in status quo.
If Congress should put such a scheme
into effect in the railroad situation, plus
a compulsory feature, it would still no
doubt meet the strongest opposition of
the brotherhoods. But suppose the roads
and the men voluntarily strengthen the
program by a contract between them
selves TO abide by the results of all de-
cisions of such commission, and that if
no decision can be reached matters shall
remain unchanged. without strike or
lockout, until further deliberation does
evolve a solution?
Immediately this suggests the prob
ability of deadlock, but against that
weakness stands always from heneeforth
the very present threat and possibility
OF compulsory legislation, as to which
the brotherhoods of late have shown
real concern and wholesome dread quite
in contrast with the all-eonquering atti-
tude of last August. President Lee of
the trainmen has been quoted as of the
opinion that if the men and the roads do
not work ont some plan of insuring peace
and preventing interruption of railroad
service the public will He is quite right. I
The compulsory investigation bill may
not pass, but the likelihood of something
of the sort viii be present in the minds |
OF all concerned from now on and act as
a powerful encouragement TO the reach |
ing of settlements under some effective |
voluntary mode Of procedure.
Such procedure at least avoids the |
unwelcome "outside men and makes an /
unfair decision so improbable that both /
parties could wen afford 10 pledge them /
selves in advance by contract 20 fight Il 4
out on this line OF not to 6ght at all. !
No doubt the scheme would sometimes 1
get stiff test, indeed, but-there is the 1
alternative in the background. That al 4
tentative is a new and continuing force 1
in the situation. which did not exist a
year ago, and NAV have the effect of
making voluntary compalsion" the least i
difficult way out OF the uilemma.-Bos-
ton Herald