Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1917 — PLAN TO HALT STRIKES [ARTICLE]

PLAN TO HALT STRIKES

War Chiefs to Create Labor Body of Nine Members. Commission to Have Mechanics and Capital Stipulate to Continue Work Pending Adjustments. Washington, Aug. 10. —Creation of a “labor adjustment commission” of three representatives each of the government, employers and labor, was officially announced. The personnel of the commission is not ready to be announced. It is designed to have jurisdiction over all labor disputes concerning wages or employment conditions on government contracts. An element of compulsory arbitration enters into the proposal. Government contracts will contain a clause binding the employers to abide by the commission’s decisions. Working men in establishments handling the contracts will be asked to accept a similar clause in their wage agreement. It is still uncertain whether the American Federation of Labor will agree to this compulsory feature. The commission is planned by the council of national defense to prevent tieups on government fvork due to strikes. . Labor leaders said the success of the defense council's proposed joint labor board depends on its powers and the way it is put together. “If it aims to settle troubles arbitrarily or.intervenes at their inception and forces its aim, it will fail,” said one who may be named a member. “If it is established as a court of last resort and then acte only in a mediatory capacity, it has a chance to succeed.” Some labor experts believe expansion of the labor department’s present mediation bureau would accomplish more than the proposed board. They feared ill effects of any compulsory feature.