Evening star., 1928-02-12
BY BEN McKELWAY.

" HIS week. in New York. hearings will be.
gin before the commerce committee OF
the American Bar Association on pro-
posal that is deeply significant IN SO far
as 1t shows which way the wind Is blow
ing But because 1t is only proposal and be.
cause proposals and what are termed movements
have a habit of starting of with grand rush
and ending in o furry OF wind. some OF those
most interested in its possibilities are delayiflg
the customary hosannas over the dawn OF new
era until they find whether 1t really Is the dawn
or deceptive moonShine.
Broadly speaking, the proposal Is to lay down
a labor policy for the United States which Will
encourage the voluntary arbitration Of labor dis
putes; to give a more definite standing IN the
law to agreements for adjusting disputes end to
the lion and the lamb. arc ready to lie down to-
gether This is a large order. 1t is not to be
filled in a day But everything must have a
beginning and the hearings In New York this
week may be the beginning Of conscientious
endeavor to bring some order out OF the chcAs
which now exhibits itself through such cliodic
outbursts as the mine wars In the coal fields and
the countless other industrial disputes with which
the public is only too familiar.
Partcipation Of the American Bar Association
In the attempt to formulate labor policy for
the United States began some years ago when
its commerce committee took under consideration
what legislation, II any, could be presented to
disputes and the prevention of industrial con-
troversy. The committee held many hearings
received numerous briefs and suggestions and
studied methods now IN operation In some OF the
States and in foreign countries. In its own words
the committee sis convinced that the time has
come when the American bar must make some
distinctive contribution in this field of American
law. The committee is conscious OF the fact that
before there is law there must be policy. In
order to find and establish distinctively Ameri-
can policy in this important field the committee
has tried to ascertain the points upon which
agreement might be reached and to adopt those
points OF agreement as basis for a constructive
recommendation"
After many exchanges and conferences between
the commerce committee of the American Bar
Association and committee representing the
American Federation OF Labor. composed Of Mat
thew Woll one Of It's vice presidents, chair
man. John p. Frey and Victor A. Oander. and
after hearing the views of business men of vision
and grasp of affairs" the following declaration
of policy, or platform. was adopted:
ITO promote good will between those invest
ing capital. those participating In management
and those who render service in industry, and to
facilitate the moving OF commerce without waste
ful interruption of industry. 1t Is hereby declared
of interstate commerce and (or) foreign COM
merce land In so far 1t may lawfully do so In
the field Of intrastate commerce) TO promote the
peaceful adjustment and prevention Of industrial
controversy by encouraging the making and main
tenance inviolate by responsible organizations of
employees and responsible organizations OF work
ing men and Tor, women Of contracts for the ad-
justment Of their relations through negotiation
and arbitration such contracts when freely and
voluntarily made to be In all respects lawful and
binding. and the provisions for settlement OF diff
ferences by arbitration to be irrevocable and en-
forccable In the manner hereinafter provided It