The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-10
FIXED CODE
REQUIREDF0R
SETTLEMENT
Coal Commission Suggests
This in Report to Pres
ident
q N E Y RID S TIC X
II Industrial Peace Is Hoped
For Some Method Must
Be Found
O N E Y A RID S TIC X

Washington, Sept. lO.--Comparing
the controversy in the coal situation
to that aver slavery just prior to tic
Civil war, the United States Coal
Commission declared in report sub
mittcd to President Coolidge today
that the national interest required cs-
tablishncnt of a fixed code for set
Element Of this and other industrial
r;sl utes.
Regardless of the inherent rights
possessed by both sides, the Commits
sion held, the necessity of coal to the
general public makes it incunhe ut
upon both operators and workers ito
make some personal sacrifices in the
interest of the commonwealth"
The outbreak at Herrin. Ill.,. in
June, 1922 and the more recent dis.
turbancc in the West Virginia fields
were cited as indicative of the ser
ious aspect the general situation has
taken. The Commission reviewed the
history of both cases in detail but de.
clined to fix responsibility further
than to say the serious results might
be attributed to the intense passions
which had been gradually fostered
among the members of the two op.
posing camps, and to the attitude Of
the communities involved toward Law
and order.
IF industrial peace is to be hoped
for" the Commission said, "then
some method must be found to guar
antee, as near as fallible human judy
ment may, equally exact justice to
capital, to labor and to the public
There must be one yardstick adopted
by which all controverted questions
are to be measured. Public interest
demands, that certain fixed principles
shall be recognized by both capital
and labor as this yardstick." r.,
Declaring it would be better for
the participants themselves to work
out the exact terms OF the code, the
Commission set forth as the frame
work, the following principles:
l. No contract is Of any valid bind
ing force in America which has not
been freely and voluntarily entered
into. *'@r
80 AhC Aikut VI u man W "OEk
when, where, for whom and under
what conditions and at what wage he
chooses, so long as he elects to as.
sert his individual right, must never
be interferred with and the State
must furnish him protection and
peace while he exercises this right
8. In free government men have
right to combine themselves to-
gether into organizations for collect
i've bargaining with reference to
terms and conditions under which
they will work; they must exercise
this right without force and intimida-
ton, and must not interfere with the
right of the man who chooses to dis
pose of his time individually.
4. Society has a right to fix q
limitation beyond which it will not
permit either these de facto or de juxe
organizations to &c. -
s. There is an implied duty upon
corporations ito pay the humblest of
its employees who is able-bodied, will
ing and competent, and who gives an
honest days work, sufficient wage to
enable that person and his family to
live in accordance with the standards
of American life, and to pay in addi-
ton thereto for skill and expert
ence."
6. The general public has, a right
to demand Of it's government that it
shall not freeze in the midst of an
abundance Of coal. Unless capital and
labor adopt methods that will furnish
to the public coal when needed, ian
outraged public sentiment will fur
nish the supply by either the army
VI the penitentiary."
T. When contracts have been vol
unfairly entered into "the industry
itself should provide boards Of arbi-
tration, both local and appellate. to
speedily dispose of causes in accord
ance with the terms Of the contract
and the principles herein set out"
While the. report dealt with. the
coal industry. generally, the commits
sion gave particular attention to the
present situation. Most of the indus
trial friction which has operated to
stop the machinery of production,
and frequently resulted in violence
and bloodshed, the Commission as
cribed to the following basic causes {:
Disputes as to what are popularity
known as the civil rights Of Amer
lean citizens.
Practical breach Of these rights in
the industry, even when theoretically
acknowledged.
Inappropriate application to pres
ent conditions of principles enunci-
ated under totally different economic
conditions.
Attitude of public opinion produced
by ancient grievances. .
Lax administration of the. law in
duced through fear. favor, affection,
malice, hatred, or ill-will.
Unwise even though lawful inter
ference Of strangers in local condi-
lions. s5S
The effect of universal suffrage
upon law administration,
There is no intellectual dispute, -
the Commission reported, touching
the academic proposition Of the right
Of . man TO run an open shop, nor Of
the right Of mel, to organize for the
purposes 81 collective bargaining. !
The Commission does not find,
Notwithstanding many unfortunate
occurrences, Unlawful acts and un-
rjse statements that II IL or has been
sfks uitima*s object Of the United
Nine Worksrs Of AD1srica to union
NJ IN The mines ~ force Il neces-
xSSys Npen the other hand, e does
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