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An. Code, 1924, sec. 7. 1912, sec. 6. 1904, sec. 6. 1904, ch. 671, sec. 4.

7. In all such cases of dispute, as aforesaid, as in all other cases, if
the parties mutually agree that the matter in dispute shall be arbitrated
and determined in a mode different from the one hereby prescribed, such
agreement shall be valid, and the award and determination thereon by
either mode of arbitration shall be final and conclusive between the parties.
It shall be lawful in all cases for an employer or employee, by writing under
his hand, to authorize any person to act for him in submitting to arbitra-
tion and attending the same.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 8. 1912, sec. 7. 1904, sec. 7. 1904, ch. 671, sec. 5.

8. The board of arbitration shall employ a clerk at each session of the
board, who shall receive three dollars per day for his services, to be paid,
upon the approval of the Commissioner of Labor and Statistics, out of
the funds appropriated for the expenses of the office.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 9. 1912, sec. 8. 1904, sec. 8. 1904, ch. 671, sec. 6.

9. Should the Commissioner of Labor and Statistics or the person
deputized by him, as aforesaid, fail to mediate or secure the consent of
the parties to the controversy or dispute to submit the matter to arbitration,
then the said Commissioner of Labor and Statistics or the person depu-
tized by him, as aforesaid, shall proceed to thoroughly investigate the
cause of the dispute or controversy; he shall have the authority to summons
both parties to appear before him and take their statements, in writing or
under oath, and having ascertained which party is, in his judgment, mainly
responsible and blameworthy for the continuance of said controversy or
dispute, shall publish a report in some daily newspaper, assigning such
responsibility or blame, over his official signature.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 10. 1912, sec. 9. 1904, sec. 9. 1904, ch. 671, sec. 7.

10. For the purposes of the investigation, as aforesaid, the Commis-
sioner of Labor and Statistics or such person as he may deputize in writing,
as aforesaid, shall have power to administer oaths, to issue summons for
the attendance of witnesses, to enforce the attendance of witnesses, produc-
tion of papers and books, to the same extent that power is possessed by
courts of record or judges thereof in this State.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 11. 1912, sec. 10. 1904, sec. 10. 1904, ch. 671, sec. 8.

11. All information of a personal character or pertaining to the private
business of any person, firm or corporation, or which might have a tendency
to expose the profits or methods of doing business by any person, firm or
corporation, coming to the knowledge of the Commissioner or person
deputized by him, or to the arbitrators selected under the aforesaid pro-
visions, shall be deemed confidential and so treated, and all documents and
testimony taken shall be filed in the office of the Commissioner of Labor
and Statistics.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 12. 1912, sec. 11. 1916, ch. 406, sec. 11.

12. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Labor and Statistics
to do all in his power to promote the voluntary arbitration, mediation and
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