trade union information, statistics, etc., and for general aid to trade unionists. The secretary of a GEWERKSCHAFTSKARTELL (trades council) is usually the local Arbeitersekretar, acting as "a guide, philosopher, and friend in industrial and political matters to all Social Democrats and trade unionists in the region under his charge. The Arbeitersekretariat often carries out extremely valuable social research work. For instance, that of Nuremberg some years ago investigated the FAMILY BUDGETS of many thousands of workmen in that city, and published the results as a special report." A Zentralarbeitersekretariat is attached to the Berlin office of the ALLGEMEINER DEUTSCHER GEWERKSCHAFTSBUND; among its other duties is that of representing individual members of trade unions in regard to matters of old age and sickness insurance which come before the national insurance bureau.

Arbeitsgemeinschaft freier Angestelltenverbände.

ANGESTELLTEN.

See

Arbeitsgemeinschaften, In Germany, these are joint committees or INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS of trade unionists and employers for specific trades or industries. They were instituted during the war for the furtherance of industrial peace and cooperation, and have continued their functions since the armistice.

Arbitration. In an industrial sense, the plan of referring the settlement of differences or disputes between employers and workers to an "impartial" agency, public or private, with powers to conduct an independent investigation of the matter and to hand down a "neutral" decision or award. Arbitration should not be confused with CONCILIATION. Whereas under conciliation the disputants merely endeavor to reach an agreement between themselves, with or without the assistance of a third party, under arbitration the decision or settlement is arrived at by a presumably neutral or impartial agency. Arbitration may be either voluntary or compulsory. In the former case, the two parties voluntarily refer their dispute to a chosen agency of arbitration. In the latter case, the law directly or indirectly compels the disputants to submit their quarrel to an outside agency for decision. In either case the usual procedure of arbitration consists in the following steps: (1) Submission of the dispute to the decision of a third party; (2) submission to an investigation; (3) refraining from strike or lockout pending investigation; (4) drawing up an AWARD. The award may or may not be binding on the contending parties, according to the terms

under which the dispute was submitted to arbitration. But the process of arbitration is still voluntary if only the first step-the submission of the dispute-be reserved to voluntary action; even though the three other steps and acceptance of the award are compulsory. "In order correctly to understand the scope and nature of industrial arbitration, it is necessary to bear in mind continually the important distinction between the two chief classes of industrial differences which may be adjusted by peaceful methods. These two classes are: (1) Those which concern the interpretation of the existing terms of employment, usually of a minor character; and (2) those which have to do with the general terms of future employment, and which are usually more important. The great majority of disputes are of the former class. They relate not to questions of principle, but to details and interpretations. Thus, if there be a general agreement or understanding that a certain price shall be paid to workingmen for doing a certain piece of work, a difference may arise in case there is some minor change in the work to be done. If the employer agrees to hire only union men, there may be a dispute as to the standing of some man whom he employs. Of course, these questions may readily pass over into disputes as to more general matters. On the other hand, from time to time the question arises between an employer and his men, or between organizations of employers and of employees, as to the general conditions under which labor shall thereafter be performed. Such differences are likely to involve larger numbers of persons than those of the first class and to be more difficult of adjustment." The settlement of such general questions is often known as "primary arbitration," and represents a process akin to that of legislation. The interpretation and general application of terms already fixed, sometimes called "secondary arbitration," is purely a judicial process. A majority of the states in this country have enacted legislation providing for the arbitration of industrial disputes. Permanent boards of conciliation and arbitration have been set up in some states; in others the state labor commissioner acts as MEDIATOR and ARBITRATOR; while in still others this function is assigned to the STATE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION. Some states have made legislative provision for local boards of arbitration in certain circumstances and under specified conditions. The Federal government has enacted various laws relating to arbitration in connection with disputes among employers and employees engaged in interstate commerce; and the UNITED STATES DEPARTment of Labor has power to act, within rather limited scope, under certain emergencies. But more important than these public agencies

is the voluntary establishment of arbitration machinery within the various trades themselves, by the method of COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Many TRADE AGREEMENTS provide for referring all disputes, especially those relating to the interpretation of the labor contract, to joint boards or committees representing the employers and employees, while in numerous instances impartial umpires or arbitrators are appointed or called in to settle matters as to which such committees cannot agree. The most conspicuous manifestation of

the movement in favor of more harmonious relations between employers and employees is found in the systems of conferences and joint agreements covering trades throughout the entire country, or throughout large sections. Although conciliation and arbitration regarding minor disputes arising as to the interpretation of the labor contract are usually found in connection with systems of collective bargaining for the determination of the contract itself, there are frequently individual disputes which are referred to arbitration by private individuals in the absence of formal arrangements for collective bargaining. Still more frequently, probably, are matters referred to arbitration in trades where workingmen are organized, but where they do not ordinarily carry on collective bargaining in a systematic manner with the employers. In Great Britain the machinery for arbitration of industrial disputes, particularly through the method of joint boards, is of earlier origin, wider extent, and more systematic character, than in the United States. (See COMPULSORY ARBITRATION; TRADE ARBITRATION; CONTINUOUS ARBITRATION; COMPULSORY INVESTIGATION; MEDIATION; with all cross references under these headings. See also, RAILWAY LABOR BOARD; NATIONAL ADJUSTMENT COMMISSION; NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD; NATIONAL ADJUSTMENT BOARD.)

Arbitration Boards or Arbitration Committees. See TRADE ARBITRATION.

Arbitration within the Trade. See TRADE ARBITRATION.

Arbitrator. A presumably impartial "outsider," appointed either by the consent of the two parties involved or by superior author.. ity, who acts as a judge in deciding the merits of an industrial dispute. He inquires into the facts of the case, receives evidence from both sides, and then hands down a decision or award in settlement of the dispute. While the terms "arbitrator" and "MEDIATOR" should be carefully differentiated, it may be noted that the tactful and experienced arbitrator often acts largely in the capacity of a mediator.

That is to say, through a process of narrowing down the points at issue he may gradually and imperceptibly force each disputant to a recognition of such justice as may lie in the other's case; so that his award, when it is finally given, is likely to be accepted by both parties as inevitable. (See ARBITRATION.)

Argentine Federation of Labor. See FEDERACIÓN OBRERA REGIONAL ARGENTINA.

Aristocracy of Labor. The skilled artisan class, as represented in the larger and stronger CRAFT UNIONS, is often so called. (See CORPORATISME.)

Armed Guards or Company Guards. In connection with STRIKES and other serious labor disputes, it has been a common practice of large American industrial corporations to employ a corps of armed men-often provided by LABOR DETECTIVE AGENCIES— who patrol the plant and grounds of the corporation and operate under its direction in endeavoring to "break" the strike. This system of substituting private for public police authority has led to many bloody incidents in the past, and is probably the most. common source of violence in labor disputes. In recognition of this fact, a number of states in this country have enacted laws forbidding the private importation of armed men from other states for the protection of property. In three or four states the employment of armed bodies of men under private control is specifically declared illegal. But in a community where the local authorities are in sympathy with the corporation, as is often the case, the obviously illegal status of armed guards may be overcome by the simple process of having them "sworn in" as "special deputies," "special police," or members of the state militia. Armed guards are usually referred to as "gunmen" among the working classes. (See POLICING OF INDUSTRY; VIOLENCE IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT.)

Arsenal Plan. A successful plan of EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION introduced in 1918 in the Federal arsenal at Rock Island, Ill. The men selected an advisory committee to cooperate with the War Department, were permitted to choose their own foremen, and had part in fixing PIECE WORK prices. Main emphasis in the "arsenal plan" is placed upon the workers' joint responsibility with the management in increasing the output; hence when contracts were under consideration the workers were fully consulted in regard to the costs and conditions under which the work must be executed.

Artel. A Russian word meaning "gang"; originally a transitory body of Russian workmen, of any number, coming together to undertake a particular piece of work in cooperation and dividing the joint profits. More recently in Russia the term chiefly denoted a permanent trade organization, with collective responsibility for its individual members. (See COOPERATIVE EMPLOYMENT.)

Asiatic Barred Zone. The Federal IMMIGRATION act of February 5, 1917, provides in part for the exclusion from the United States of natives of the continent of Asia and adjacent islands lying within certain specified meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude. The "barred zone" thus described includes India, Siam, Indo-China, parts of Siberia, Afghanistan, and Arabia, the islands of Java, Sumatra, Ceylon, Borneo, New Guinea, Celebes, and various lesser groups. Exception is made in favor of government officials, travellers for curiosity or pleasure, and persons of certain specified professional classes, so that in effect laborers only are prohibited. The actual boundaries of the barred zone include a portion of China, but the act provides that where immigration regulation-or rather exclusion-is "provided for by existing treaties" the geographical exclusion is not applicable; hence China is not within its scope. (See CHINESE EXCLUSION LAWS.)

Assignment of Wages. See WAGE EXEMPTION.

Assistance Fund. See STRIKE FUND.

Assisted Immigration. This term is often used in a sense synonymous with INDUCED IMMIGRATION, but it refers more properly to that class of immigrants who receive financial assistance (either from their relatives already in this country, or from various public or private sources) in making their way to the United States.

Associated Standard Recognized Railroad Labor Organizations. See RAILWAY BROTHERHOODS.

Association or Associationism. An Americanized form of FOURIERISM, introduced into the United States in 1834 by Albert Brisbane. Several definite experiments made by Brisbane and his fellow "associationists" on the main lines laid down by Fourier resulted in failure.

Association Ouvrière. In France, an association of workingmen for other than ordinary trade union purposes.