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Show NEEDED ARBITRATION COURTS. When a great strike, like that in Chicago, paralyzes the business of a city for weeks, and brings vast losses and no end of hardships ipon mmmmmaammm the public, it is all a clear proof that as yet the American people, while they may be civilized, are not enlightened. It is a direct proof that while the wrangle goes on, the public are the chief sufferers, and that, inasmuch as this country jH is for the people, there should be a way to compel employers and employees to so adjust their differ- ences that the public will not suffer, and when they cannot or will not do this, then the sovereign power of the country should interpose and make the adjustment. It has been done in Australia, it should be done here. It is idle to say that a jH law cannot be framed to meet such emergencies. i A law that would in the first section declare 'j JH that a strike is lawful, but that in precipitating it r i t there must be no stoppage of work or damage to ! property, or interference with public rights, would make , a good starter. But then there should be pointed out the course of procedure of strikers. They should file a statement of their grievances 1 ' in a court specially instituted for the purpose. I That court should be given discretionary powers, jf i , to hear and adjust differences between employers , j jH and employees. On the petition of any man jH agrieved, the. court should summon witnesses and 1 ' JH hear the case, and its decision should in explicit , terms decree what should be done. When a strike ' 1 1 H is on the passions of both employers and' em- j I ployees are aroused, and in very many cases ' iH neither is a good judge of what should be done. An outside, disinterested court, under oath to do ' the right thing, is the tribunal to which both em- . , i j ployers and employees should be compelled to jjl come. Each should have full opportunity to air !i his grievances before it, but both sides should ' be compelled to accept the decree of such a court jJ and adjust their matters accordingly. . 'j H A firm has a right to' go out of business, labor- i ' ers have a right to give up their employment, but 1 neither laborers nor employees have a right to keep thousands of outside innocent people in a H state of confusion, apprehension and fear, and H should not be permitted to. ;jj H A country that professes to be governed by j H law should meet every emergency that arises. . i ' ' i 1 H This country has been convulsed by strikes and j ! j H lockouts for half a century. In every case the j j j JH trouble has to be finally settled, ether amicably or , H one side or the other has to conquer. In every , ' . H case there is vast loss and great heart-burnings, , j j , jfl and often the upheavals are attended with mur- ' ' i 1 1 ders. It is idle to say that there is no other way. i H The matter should be at once brought before a i I 9 court established for the purpose, and with full 1 1 M power to act. That would be a civilized and just j ' method of procedure, and' every state should have ' M such a court. It is the only way to protect the ; i 9 public at large. j H |