Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-24

order permitting the continuance of the
old wage scale and working conditions
for period of 30 days, to enable the
operators and miners TO begin. and if
possible. conclude negotiations for u
new contract. The operators did not
to commence negotiations Immediately.
The mine leaders declined the benefits
of such an order The industrial court
then directed the operators to resume
mining for the purpose of meeting the
Kansas demand as it arose, guaran-
teeing prices to the mines and to the
workers.
Operations Resumed
Operations were resumed at once
with the understanding that the mine
owners should keep a sufficient num-
Der of properties operating to produce
all the coal needed for Kansas domestic
and industrial uses. If the operators
themselves failed in this, then the state
would take over the mines. The state
guarantees that the men who are work
ing in the mines shal have full protec-
tion from those who are out and that
an invasion of the rights of any man
who is at work by striker will be
promptly punished. Troops have not
been needed to protect the rights of
the men who are at work. The de
mand for coal increases, more mines
are opened and the number Of men
willing TO work grows every day.
There has been in these operations
no controversy as to wages. The op-
orators and the men now at work have
agreed TO a rate of compensation which
seems entirely satisfactory to both
sides. 1t has been understood from
the beginning that if any complaints
were made as to compensation the in
dustrial court would take the situation
in hand and determine the minimum
wages. When the operators realized
that the men would be protected
against an unfair wage and the men
realized that they could depend upon
the State for just wage, they have
settled the question for themselves
without coming to the court just as
men in other controversies settle their
litigation out Of court on basis of
what they know their legal rights to be.
For Interest of Justice
An industrial court is an effort to
secure the composition of the contro-
versy by impartial judges who have no
interest in the case except the interest
of justice.
Impartial judges have been able in
this country to secure justice in rela-
ton to the most sacred rights. They
pass upon property liberty, life They
regulate the relations of parent and
child. of husband and wife The most
intimate and minute rights of the citi-
zen pass under the survey of men
chosen to guarantee justice to all. If
government may guarantee to people
Justice in all these matters. it is rather
un-American to believe that govern
ment could not also guarantee justice
10 men in their controversy with their
employers.
The efforts which the federal gov
has thus far made at legisla-
ion have stopped just where the full
ness of such legislation should begin
In the United States, the labor board,
IN elaborate machine, has been created
,or the survey of living conditions, the
Investigation of wages and working
conditions Every power has been
yiyen the board to arrive at all
he facts and to have in hand the
means Of reaching just award Aft
n creating this elaborate machinery.
he federal government left out the
engine. They gave it no power of ma
ional decision. They simply created
IN expensive debating society which
only the longings of gov
,rnment, with none of its dignity and
power.
The proposal that the government
should create an impartial tribunal to
BASS upon wage controversies relates |
# course only to the essential indus
ries, which under the Kansas law are
declared to be food. fuel, clothing and
transportation.