Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-11-04
.THE sRorAeRHooD's PROPOSAL.

THE eRoTHERHooD's PROPOSAL.
SPHE Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers proposes an Industrial
arbitration board to settle the dispute
between the coal mine operators and
miners. on the theory that there is no
Industrial dispute or misunderstanding
that cannot be adjusted upon basis
of justice and right Now we are get
ting something that is really worth
while If this theory had been put into
force and effect when the mine owners
and the miners were trying to settle
their differences we would not now
be face to face with a serious coal
strike. The proposal should be taken
advantage of Immediately. The Broth
erhoo.. OF Locomotive Engineers is
showing the proper spirit--the kind or
spirit that will stop industrial unrest
and iron out differences between en-
ployer and employee much more salts
factorily than win strikes and the vio-
lence that goes with walkouts.
This brotherhood very aptly sizes up
the situation in this country when it
said: 1.-The, industrial conditions now
confronting the nation, with capital
tude toward each other while the whole
country is suffering from the high cost
of living caused by boarding and prof
iteering, resulting in general discon-
tent, which tends to lower production
has brought about the most serious
crisis in the history of our country
Why should capital and labor take
a militant attitude toward one another?
Both must exist if this country is to
prosper Neither can be ignored. Both
have leaders who should be relegated
to the background, for they only serve
to breed discomfort. The days of
speeding up" men in industries are
passing. The employer who does that
Is not getting very far. Labor, on the
other hand, must divorce itself from
radical and unsafe leadership. When
that is done, when employer and en-
ploye realize they are dependent upon
each other then and then only will be
eliminated much of the industrial un-
rest.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers is reflecting the spirit that fair
minded Americans like to see. 1t speaks
for SIS, 900 members. AS a remedy for
the present turbulent conditions, the
brotherhood suggests that immediate
steps be taken to assemble at Wash
ington an Industrial commission that
will recognize the rights of all citi-
zens and is not pledged to oppose col
lective bargaining as this is a time
for deliberate action on the part of all
concerned in a peaceful solution of the
present conditions.
The miners and the operators agreed
to certain wage and work schedule
during the period of the war. This
contract was approved by the United
States government. So far Is the
United States is concerned, the war is
not over and will not be until we for
mally ratify the peace treaty. The
agreement was not terminated by the
signing of the armistice. The miners
however, demand a new agreement and
issued an ultimatum that IL they did
not get it they would strike on Nov.
Now what were these new demands
A six hour labor schedule from the
time miners enter the mine until they
leave 1t, which is virtually five hours
n day actual work, and five days q
week. In addition they asked for a 81
per cent increase in wages. The pres
ent scale and the scale signed for thu
period of war, calls for an eight houl
day, six days a week The miner.
viewed the old contract as "scraI
of paper and when they were read.
they destroyed it. Organized labo
cannot do that and be successful Ii
this or any other country. The oil,
contract was binding on them. Ye
they have walked out OF the mines
They cannot win their contention II
that way for public sympathy will b
against them.