Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1917 — Publicity Has Made Strikes Rare in Canada—Why Not in United States? [ARTICLE]

Publicity Has Made Strikes Rare in Canada—Why Not in United States?

By A. N. SPAULDING

rof Washington, D. C.

It Js generally conceded that Canada has the most effective system yet devised for thu peaceful settlement of labor disputes. 'Since the law was put into force\ that country has been remarkably free from labor ~~ ~tronblL‘S. y-- ;: - The law prohibits, under severe penalties, a strike or lockout, until certain requirements of the act have been complied with. There must be at least thirty days' notice of.Jhe desired change of conditions bv employees or employers, as the case may be —an increase of wages or better terms of employment on the one hand or a proposed reduction on the other. . .-i- .■ ■■ .H” '"‘"7 " . . ”' If, then, the parties are unable to come to kri agreement,-the one contemplating a strike or a lockout is compelled to lay the case before the government and call for the appointment of a board of investigation. The minister of labor notifies each party to the dispute to name a member of the board, and they agree to a third, or the third member may jbe appointed by. the minister of labor himself. ‘ ■ ' e A public inquiry follows, the board being empowered to summon witnesses and compel testimony. It is not an arbitration board. Its purpose is to bring the actual facts before the public. But in the course of its investigation it does all, it can to effect an amicable settlement, and its final report is in the nature of a recommendation to one or both of Ithe parties involved. - .• After Tts findings are published the employees may strike or the employers lock out, if .they wish, but the recommendations of the board have been, as a rule, accepted. „ The admirable success of this system is due solely to publicity. Could it not be tried in the United States? .