Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-31
N rs WORTH TRYING.

the plan of the industrial confer
ehce called by President Wilson TO
devise methods ior settling dis
putes of industrial interests and
fabor He claims there can be no
method equal TO the tried and
tested machinery for Cancellation
and arbitration between employers
and employees existing wherever
employees are organized Com
pers contends that this machinery
functions perfectly wherever en-
ployers "forsake the spirit Of lom-
nance and the attitude of autoc-
racy."
But in thousands Of instances
employers do not forsake this atti-
tude and in others labor leaders
are just as firm. The results are
strikes and lockouts. Machinery
does not work when human minds
disregard its requirements.
Employer and employed are
prone to believe they are right. or
irritated enough to be unfair.
Then follow efforts to impress the
public but usually after the war
is on and statements conflict.
The public by this time is being
hurt; is perplexed and often de-
ceived by claimants for approval.
The real cause and equity are hard
to determine unless au impartial
body digs into the matter and, can
show the truth, or Influence a set
Element
What better method OF securing
unqualified approval by the public
could be asked by either side than
the publicity the industrial con-
ference proposes when disputes are
not finally settled by local negotia-
tons and appeal is taken from n
regional board TO the national
tribunal?
This appeal to public sentiment
is the distinguishing feature of the
movement for the settlement of in
dustral disputes by negotiation
rather than by strike or lockout
and the test OF strength. It is a
wonderful tribute to the innate
sense of fairness which an intelli-
gent public is ready to exercise, and
thh employment of this force OF
public opinion is not only the hes,
guarantee of fair results. but Of the
protection of everybody against the
consequences of strikes and lock-
outs and labor disturbances which
inflict harm upon the whole COM
mnnity. t-s
The conference nlan insures rep
resentation from the employer and
employe on equal terms ard in
eoUel numbers from the public.
Under the National Industrial
board AT Washington. there are to
be II regional boards, each to deal
with controversies in its own re-
Eion when both sides ask for as
sistance. Decisions by these re-
gional boards, to be binding and
effective. must be unanimous and
will relate only to wages and hours
end condition of work and not 10
the questions of open or "closed
shop unless the parties to the dis
pute agree to submit that issue for
adjudication.
The appointment of representa-
tiyes by both sides supposes obi
CATION to accept and abide by a
unanimous decision, In the case
of failure to reach such a decision,
there may be an appeal to the ma
tional board ri Washington. In
the case of failure to reach an
agreement. full publicity of the
facts is 70 be made in order that
the public may understand why
failure resulted.
Since the closed shop is not to be
On issue unless both sides ask for
arbitration upon that point in any
dispute the feature of unionism is
not at stake. The actual subjects
of dispute are such as citizens gen
orally decide fairly upon the mer-
its in each case when rightly in
formed, and n citizen board made
up of elements from both factions
and from personally disinterested
representatives selected impartially
can end most disputes equitably, |
like juries, by unanimous verdict,
or allow right of appeal to the SUI
preme board. corresponding to the
supreme court of the United states.
except that no board has authority
to enforce observance of its find
ings.
The people generally are for fair
play and the way to head off au-
tocracy and oppression is to get
the facts before the court of public
opinion through proper channels.
There seems to be no better cham
mel than arbitration. They who
feel sure Of their ground ought to
welcome opportunity. The fact
that arbitration is to be asked will
pryent many designed wrong,
that would not be headed off by
a strike or lockout threat. Arbitra-
ton involves good faith to abide by
decisions and in most cases the de-
cisions OF boards are so fair and
convincing that acceptance is mu-
tual. One of the main benefits is |
that during the negotiations labor
is not losing wages as in case of |
strike or lockout, and the operators
are not idle. the public not suffer-
ing through non-production.
Finally, a radically wrong deci-
sion is remedied by public disap-
prevail that secures a reverse, in
time. Nothing can be settled that
is not settled right is principle
that still holds. The plan may be
faulty now, but is capable OF
modification when experience war
rants.
The country cannot always go on