26 APRIL 1986, Page 12

One hundred years ago

President Cleveland has sent a re- markable Message to Congress. He says the present unsatisfactory condition of the relations between labour and capital is largely due to the 'grasping and heedless exactions of the employers,' as well as occasionally to causeless and unjustifiable disturbances on the part of the men. He recommends, therefore, that as the direct powers of Congress are limited, it should create a Labour Commission of three first-class Govern- ment officers, regularly paid and recog- nised as such, who should act as arbitra- tors in all such disputes. Submission to such arbitration should be voluntary, but the President thinks the Commis- sion would be a just recognition of the claim of labour to a place in the department of Government.

Spectator, 24 April 1886