The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-11-15
REMEDIES RECOMMENDED


The report also recommends, first, that
there be Il permannt strike commission.
Three members with power of investiga-
ton and recommendations as to disputes
between railroads and their employees
similar to those vested in the interstate
commerce commission as to rates. etc. ;
that as in the interstate commerce act
power be given to the United States
courts to compel the railroads to obey
the decision of the commission after
summary hearing, unattended by techni-
calities and that no delays in obeying
the decision of the commission be allowed
pending appeals.
That whenever the parties to Il CON
troversy in matter within the jurisdic-
tiOn of the commission are one or omre
railroads on one side and one or more
trades unions incorporated under chap
ter 567 of the United States statutes of
1SS0-S6, or under states statutes upon
the other each side shall have the right
to select representative who shall be
appointed by the president to serve as
a temporary member of the commission
in hearing, adjusting and determining
that particular controversy.
This provision would make it for the
interest of the labor organizations to in
corporate under the law and to make
the commission one of conciliatiOn. 1t
would also tend to create confidence in
the commission and to give that body in
every hearing the benefit of practical
knowledge of the situation. That
during the pendency of proceeding be-
fore the commission inaugurated by
national trades unions or by an incorpo-
ration of employees it shall not be lawful
for the railroads to discharge employees
belonging thereto except for inefiiciency,
violation of law or neglect of duty; nor
for such pendency to order, unite in or
aid or abet strikes or boycots against the
railroads complained, nor for period Of
six months after Il decision for such
except for the causes ~, :CSnii: r9r { u
such employees during n like periOG 10
quit service without giving 30 days no.
tice of intent to do so, nor Off any such
union or incorporation to order, counsel
or advise other to quit.
Second That chapter JG7 be
amended go - tC rh1Ii.:" ~. 81 ira -
unions to provide in ihri" articles Of III
corporation and in their constitutions
rules and bylaws that a member shall
cease to be such and forfeit all rights and
privileges conferred upon him by law as
such by participating in, or by instigating
force or violence against persons or prop
erty during strikes or boycotts or by
seeking to prevent others from working
Dy threats OF violence.
''rhird-The commission does not feel war
ranted with the study it has been able to
give to the subject to recommend positively
the establishment of a license system by
which the higher employees shall be licensed
after due and proper examination, but it
would recommend, and most urgently, that
this subject be carefully and fully consid-
cred by the proper committee of congress.
Many railroad employees and some railroad
officials examined, and many others who
filed with their suggestions in writing, are in
favor of some such system.
The commission would suggest COnsld-
Grafton by states of the adoption of cOncia-
ton or arbitration, like that, for instance,
in Massachusetts. That system night be
reinforced by additional provisions, giving
the board Of arbitration more power to in
vcstigate all strikes, whether requested to
do so or not. and the question might be con
sidercd as 10 giving labor organizations II
standing before the law as heretofore sug-
gcStcd for national trades unions,
"COntracts requiring men to join labor or
ganiZations or to leave them as conditions of
employees should be made illegal, as is al
ready done in some of our states. The com
mission urges employees TO recognize labor
organizations that such organizations be
dealt with through representatives with
special reference to cancellation and arbi
ira tiOn when difficulties are threatened or
arise. 1t Is satisfied that employers should
come i'll closed touch with labor and should
recognize that while the interests of capital
and labor are not identical, they are reCip-
rOca
THE commission is satisfied that if en-
pOyers everywhere will endeavor to act in
concert with labor, that If, when wages can
he raised under economic conditions they
be raised voluntarily; and that if, when
there are reductions, reasons be given for
the reduction, much friction can be avoided.
1t is also satisfied that If employers will
consider employees as thoroughly essential
to industrial success as capital AMI thus
take labor into consultation az proper times,
much of the severity of the strikes eau he
and their number rcdu:ed.'
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