Evening star., 1923-12-09
AS a Great Union Man Sees 1t.
Arbitration Can Be Success

ance by both parties to the verdict
and rigid adherence to it.
Arbitrati ton may not be compulsory.
except where it has been voluntarily
agreed to before the contention arises.
Arbitration made compulsory by law
would be most colossal failure, just
as it has always been when so de-
creed. No statute that proposed to
jail men for their failure to work
would in its application work. Invol-
untary servitude is just as distaste-
full, and more so because men are
now free, as slavery was distasteful.
Compulsory arbitration as to its YER
dict could be enforced against q
protesting party in but one way. by
putting them in Jail. That would be
the last step. That would be the step !.
that would spell failure for such a
law.
Arbitration Successful.
On the other hand voluntary arbi~
tration of industrial disputes by
agreement between the parties at in
terest has been successful and is now
entirely possible of success. There
must be the prior condition of a
strong association of employers and a :.
strong association of wage earners, &.
both able to carry into effect the pro-,
visions Of the contract, especially .
awards made under such a contract. )
Given an agreement of this kind and
union officers who understand their
business, are capable Of putting up !
seasoned argument based on facts and,
figures, and there Is almost sure suc-
cess for the wage earners If their
cause is just There must be merit, 7,
and the contention of each party
should stand or fall on its merits.
Cancellation and mediation general
ly precede arbitration: This is usual
ly provided for in arbitration agree
ments y
In many disputes agreement is ,
reached on all questions but one or
two. arrangements are often made for
reference Of these to an arbiter. and
as a rule his duties and his powers
are closely restricted; He may take
the points in dispute. or on particular
phases of these points.
In still other cases arbitration ap-
plies to wages only, and In some py
fined to the prevailing wage and the
wage that Is asked for.
Arbitration as generally applied.
however, relates to every matter IN
to junction, the union shop, and union.
rules. These are usually excepted.
But Ii all depends on the agreement
that has been reached prior to the In
ception of the dispute.
Arbitration has been given many a
black eye by the selection OF arbiters
with but slight, If any, knowledge of.
the business or industry to which
their decision will apply. It is impos- :.
sibIe to give such men a comprehen- :
siye picture of the processes and the
technicalities of the industry In toe
limited time which an arbitration
board has at its disposal. Too often
has the verdict been not in accord 7.
with the facts. Many times has the .
verdict been of the hit-and-miss de.
scription, and then follows a period !.
of wrangie and .dissension between :
the people who must live under an
award the terms of which are subject Z.
to many interpretations or cannot be
made to apply with any degree of
smoothness and result to the needs of
the industry. Arbiters should have
expert knowledge of the questions on !.
which they will be expected to pass; ;
(Copyright, 1923. by the Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
To be Continued Next suHAsv.