Evening star., 1921-04-25
Editorial Digest
Arbitration With Teeth.

i
Department Of Labor. says the Cincin-
natl Times-Star (republican) in COM
menting upon Secretary Davis speech
in which he calls upon Congress for
| legislation that will make the unions
responsible for carrying out agree
ments reached by arbitration. The
Secretary's suggested policy meets
with wide approval among the news
papers, and even those who feel 1t is
little too much to hope that it can
be carried out at present feel that it is
a step in the right direction. The labor
/ papers themselves. however, look upon
the teeth" that Mr.. Davis wants i'm
planted IN his arbitration" as intend
! ed primarily to bite the workinGman.
The principle of arbitration "in prac-
ticalIy all disputes" the Canton News
sdemocratic) declares, rs so manifest
~ just that it seems strange that
elther side should be unwilling to
nave an impartial consideration of its
demands. and having given consent
TO such mediation. the common honesty
OF contracts would demand that the
aSreeinent be carried out in good
1alth' That both sides be compelled
10 lNe up to these reciprocal agree
| hents' is properly" urged by Secre-
tary Davis. says the Norfolk Virginian-
! iiiot 'ihdependent demoCratic). which
continues: Justice in industry diff
/, iers none from the justice in the court
mouse or anywhere else. A settlement
t out OF court. or in the case of industry
Wlthout strikes or lockouts. is infinite
~ the better way, provided the settle
ihent is recognized as binding
The Buffalo Commercial (independ-
enO says: Federal incorporation for
the American Federation of Labor
ana all international and national
LapoT BODIES and state Incorporation
ior local councils seems to be the
ohiv feasible plan whereby state and
ledeTai governments can enforce de-
clslons OF arbitrators- Public opin-
ION can do much. but it has never
neeh able to make a labor union keep
lts word against it's interests not to
do So
As Suggestions" the Chicago
considers the Secretary's remarks
encouraging" but sounds the warn
ing that if they are Ito be translated
into accomplishment it must be by
speclnc changes in laws and GUS
toms" These changes. it declares,
will meet with violent opposition"
However, it is upon "labor's accept
ance of responsibility" that "advan-
tages Of justice and peace" depend,
and II the labor organization is made
responsible for the carrying out of
It's agreements. just as the employer
is now responsible under civil law,
one of the greatest evils of the entire
la bor situation will be reduced"
The Detroit Free Press (independ-
ent)- also sees opposition ahead of
the Secretary's plan on the part of
'thoughtless and radical clements"
but, it feels, the more enlightened
and sober minded workers can
scarcely fail to see the point. and
they will appreciate the wisdom and
fairness of a plan which con-
templates no paternalistic coddling
and intrusive meddling."
Eighty-five per cent Of his American
fellow citizens. the San Antonio Ex-
press independent democratic) be-
lieves. share the Secretary's beliefs.
and this includes every laborer and
meet the test of common sense. let
alone conscientious scruples as to the
integrity of contractual obligation"
The Mobile Register (democratic)
seems to feel that the way is open
for the successful accomplishment of
Mr. Davis plan. for submission "to
arbitration is. in effect. an agreement
to accept the decision. and, while
there are many who are not yet ready
to deny labor the right to strike. yet
the tendency for severity toward those
who abuse their right is daily becom-
ing more pronounced"
Out Of the world OF base ball the
Providence Journal independently
takes an illustration of the sound
ness of the Secretary's theory. 1t
says: TN organized base ball. when
an umpire's decision is questioned so
fiercely that manager takes his
team from the field. the laws of the
game provide fine large enough to
pensive And if the facts warrant.
suspension OF the manager may fol-
low. This fine and this suspension
have the effect of a deterrent on hot
heads, so that forfeited games in the
big leagues are now rare. Labor
needs similar penalties to make it
live up to its agreements"
Compulsory arbitration" which
nobody seems to want" according to
the Hartford Times (democratic). is
distinguished carefully by several
writer's from the Secretary's demands.
for compulsory fairness. compulsory
living up to agreements" as the Roa-
noke Times tdemocratic) pats 1t. ''is
something to which no fair-minded
man. be he employer yr.. or employe; p,;
give heed to Mr.. Davis views"
The Fremont (Neb.) Tribune IRE
publican). looks forward ito the time
when harmony will prevail and every
rule" This Utopia, however. is not
yet quite within reach. in the opinion
Of the Baltimore News independently.
but there are stin hopes.
"While the moment has probably not
vet arrived to pass nationwide indus
trial legislation of this character. it is
not too early at least to think about
il, The history Of modern Industrial
ism is making 1t increasingly evident
that the next few years must evolve
some method of bringing the warning
factions in our economic life into some
sort of reasonable relation to each other
and to the state. which represents the