River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-12-27
FOR ARBITRATION.
Labor Commissioner Wright Presents
His Plan.


WASHINGTON, Dec 2O-Labor Com.
missioner Wright has sent to Mr..
Erdman pa the draft of a bill for
the national arbitration of strikes.
The bill was prepared by Mr.. Wright
and his associates on the strike com.
mission appointed by President Cleve
land to investigate the great Chi.
cago strike. Such arbitration was
recommended in the coInmission's
report and the bill now gives
the practical details of their plan.
1t differs entirely from the arbitra-
tion bill heretofore introduced by
Mr.. Springer, being more elaborate
and precise in its details Mr.. Erd.
man will introduce il in the house to
day. The title of the bill is "A Bill
Concerning Carriers Engaged in Inter
state Commerce and Their Employees. -
1t is modelled after the interstate com
merce act A synopsis is is follows:
1t provides for the appointment by the presi-
dent. with the advice and consent of the SEN
ate. of a commission consisting Of five persons
TO be known as the United States board OF
Cancellation and arbitration" Not more than
three OF the commissioners shall be appointed
from the same ltltllcal pdItSs Oht Ol them
shall have had expcfience In the management
OF railroads, and the ether Is 10 be selected
from some Incorporated association OF railway
employees. The commission shall have au-
thority to inquire into the conditions OF all en-
ployes subject TO the act, and shall have the
right TO obtain FROM common carriers all nec-
cessary Information. The provisions of the
Interstate commerce act are closely followed
in this respect. The commission has the
power TO make all necessary rules and regula-
tons and may administer oaths.
The salray 81 each commissioner shall be
$500 per annun.. the secretary to be appointed
shall have a salary OF $500 The principal
offices of the commits ion sh II De in the city
Of Washington, where it's general sessions
shall be held. but special sessions may he held
anywhere IN the United States An annual re-
port shall be submitted and publication Of the
reports and decisions may be authorized and
shall be competent evidence in ali courts Of
the United States.
The bill provides that the system Of arbitra-
tion and Cancellation shall apply TO common
ear ers engaged in the transportation between
the states of passengers and property by rail-
road and by water. aud to all persons and cor
porations leasing cars used for such transpor-
! tation and all their employees; that the wages
paid in such trans portation and handling, and
the rules and regulations shall be reasonable
and just, not. however taking away the night
to make contracts
Whenever il shall come to the knowledge OF
the comm ission that strike or controversy
between those subject TO the act is threatened
or has occurred IL shall be its duty as soon as
practicable TO put itself in communication
with both PARTIES and endeavor by mediation
and Cancellation to effect "a settlement. Like
wise upon the request of employees or corpora
tions as well as OF its own voiition. il may
make an Investigation. All reports OF investi-
cations and me IONS and the findings Of
facts therein all u, lima facie evidence as
TO each and cry fact and be given due weight
in all judi al proceedings. ana the attorney
general OF the United States. 10 whom the
same shall be transmitted, shall take such
action as Is necessary During the pendency
of an arbitration IL is not lawful for an en-
ployer TO discharge an employe. nor for such
| employe TO a.. or abet strikes nor to quit en-
ployment without thirty days notice. The
violation of this provision is made a inisde-
meanur
In section 10 the Incorporation of employees
is encouraged and eh pter $50, United States
statutes, lsS5-isS6, is enlarged so as TO pro-
vide that the constitution and bylaws OF
such association shall contain a provision that
membership shall cease by participating in
schemes of violations. strikes, etc, and that
the members shall not be personally liable foi
any acts, debts or Obligations of the organiza-
ton
whenever receivers appointed by the federal
courts are in control Of a railroad the employees
shall have the right to be heard in the court
upon all questions affecting the terms of theiI
employment. and no reduction of wages shall
De made by the receivers without the authori-
ty OF the court after due notice.
1t is further made - misdemeanor for any
officer or employer TO require employees to
enter into an agreement not to become mem
Der of a libor organization, or to threaten an
employee with loss OF employment or diserimi-
nation because OF such membership or to re-
quire such employee 60 become member Of a
h1af.naf al pfYnf ian