The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-29
INDUSTRIAL STRIFE.

Industrial strife threatens so to in
lure or destroy the efficiency of this
nation during the present war that
the Allies may not win it.
There is no doubt that agents of
Germany and traitorous agitators are
systematically fomenting this strife
by all means within their power.
IF Germany be not signally de-
feated she will be practically a victor,
and able in the near future to drown
the earth again in blood in her at
tempt to destroy world democracy and
permanently establish the power of
German militarism."
The foregoing are the words of the
editor of the Sacramento Bee, who is
evidently greatly worried over the
situation and anxious to find a
remedy. Continuing he says:
Strikes have been inaugurated and
threatened in various parts of the
country, in the industrial plants en-
gagged in the manufacture of material
necessary in the prosecution of this
war.
Sometimes the ground of complaint
was trivial; sometimes it was unjust;
sometimes just.
But never has there been and never
will there be justification for stop
ping the wheels of national produc-
ton at this critical time while worker
and owner fight over a difference
which should be settled easily with
justice to both.
After discussing various remedies
and rejecting all for one reason or
another he contributes the following;
Apparently compulsory national ar
bitration is the only plan which en-
tfrely meets the requirements of the
case.
By this is meant arbitration by a
permanent national tribunal, free
from local influence or prejudice, with
full power to enforce it's DEGREES; the
prevention of all strikes and Iockouts,
and continuance of work during ar
bitration-the conditions of the final
award to become effective as from
the date when the issue was formally
raised; the encouragement of col
lective bargaining and. therefore, the
the right of labor to unionize without
objection on the part of the employers.
Arbitration is an ideal means of
settling controversies of every kind
in theory. In order to be successful in
practice it must have the consent of
all parties concerned and a willing
ness to abide by the verdict of the
arbitrators. Making arbitration COM
pulsory seems to be impracticable.
There is no power anywhere which
can compel men to work against their
will.
Referring to the existing contro-
versies between laborers and employ
ers, the Bee continues:
And if there are elements or indi-
viduals in either of the classes named,
| or in any other class that insist that
the fight against the German foe
| should cease unless and until their
own selfish demands have been COM
piled with, and that decline to submit
! those demands to a properly consti-
| tuted tribunal for adjudication, then
| those elements are traitors to the ma
| ton.
Surprising they do refuse, and ad-
hitting that they are traitors, then
what? How could the government deal
with a body of $4,000 strikers like that
seen on the Pacific coast recently? 1t
would be necessary to send the army
against them and the army, just now,
is needed for other purposes.
Some better way for settling labor
disputes than by compulsory arbitra-
ton must be found.