The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-13
President Cleveland Acts on
President Debs' Request.
WILL APPOINT AR5iTRAToRs.
As Soon as the Strikers Discontinue
Acts of LswlessnesS.
The Arbitration VIII Be Under = Fed
ersi statute Never Before Invoked
Deb. Much GratIfied- OF L. Inter
view With Cleveland.

WAsHINsToS CRY. July II 1t is off,
ciallY stated at the White House that the
president has promised to appoint an arhi-
tration committee as soon as the disturb
aace in Chicago has sabsided. SO FAR as the
strikers are responsible for them. and
peace restored. After discussing the
various features of the situation for more
than an hour the president promised that
ii the leaders would return to Chicago and
use their influence toward restoring peace
and order he would appoint the commits
sion as soon as the disturbances had
ceased 10 such an extent 10 render q
careful. thorough. thoughtful Investigation
possible. The president iaid great en-
phasis on the fact that no steps could be
taken in this direction until lawlessness
had ceased. and made his promise contin-
gent on the pledge of the labor leaders TO
see to il that. so far as organized labor Is
concerned, the trouble In Chicago and else
where will Immediately disappear. There
is no disposition on the part of the adj
minstration to weaken in the stand il has
taken, but the president fully realizes the
gravity of the situation, and. while he
will not temporize with the lawless ele-
ment, he is determined to do all IN his
power 10 reach permanent solution of
labor questions.
John w Hayes, general secretary-treas-
urer OF the Knights OF Labor, gave out the
following statement tonight, covering the
committees interview with President
Cleveland:
Eve had an hours talk with President
a T.. =. -
of calling his attention TO the arbitration
act OF iSss, introduced in the house OF rep
resentatives at that time by John 0iNeill,
of Missouri | had full authority from
President Debs. OF the American Railway
Union, and +. w. Heathcoat OF the Pull
man employees, TO represent their interests
and act on their behalf. The president
seemed pleased to receive us. and
opened up the subject BY referring TO
the law which the parties interested
desired to see enforced An hour was
spent in discussing the various provisions
Of the act which authorizes the president
on his own action to appoint two arhitra-
tors to act with the United States labor
commission, as n commission OF arbitra-
ton TO investigate and decide what shall
be done by either party To settle the con-
troyersy The commission has all the
powers necessary To administer oaths,
subpoena witnesses, etc. The president
finally decided TO appoint the commission,
and said he would name the arbitrators
either tomorrow or the next day.
We expect to secure much more
settlement of the present difficulty In
Chicago. While that is great victory
for the labor organizations and everything
that the American Railway Union has
fought for, ii gives official recognition OF
the Justice of their demands for arbitra-
tion. and it will 20 much further. for in
the future when the defects OF the present
arbitration law have been made apparent
by actual experience prompt step Will be
taken 10 amend the same"
The executive board does not expect
anything TO come OF the general urging of
the impeachment of Attorney General
0lney.
The o'Neill law, approved October /,
isss. provides that when controversies
arise between companies engaged in inter
state commerce aud their employees. OBJ
structing the transportation of property
and passengers, an arbitrator shall be
selected by each of the parties 10 the dis
pute, these two arbitrators 10 select a
third, This board shall. after a full
investigation, publicly announce its
decision, which, with sill the testimony,
shall be filed with the United States COM
missioner OF labor. The statute further
provides that the president of the United
States may select two commissioners.
one of whom at least shall be resi-
dent of the state or territory in which
the controversy arises, who, together
with the commissioner Of labor. shall con-
stitute temporary commission for the
purpose of examining the causes OF the
controversy, the conditions accompany
ing aud the best means for adjusting IL,
the result of which examination shall be
Immediately reported TO the president and
congress.
A telegram was received by the presi-
dent tonight from President Gompers, OF
the Federation OF Labor, asking him TO
come to Chicago or send representati
10 consider With prominent labor leaders
concerning the situation. No answer has
vet been made to the invitation.
The house judiciary committee will meet
tomorrow. aud an effort will be made. IN
accordance with the desire Of the X. Of l..
leaders in the city. to secure immediate
consideration Of the George arbitration
measure.
A bill 70 prevent strikes. 90 settle by ar
bitration all differences between employer
and employees. and TO provide penalty
for the refusal or failure to abide by the
decision Of the arbitrators. has been in
troduced by Representative Hudson Of
Kansas.
Consideration by the house Of the reso-
luton 10 investigate the railroad troubles
has been indefinitely postponed. because
OF the absence OF Speaker Crisp. which
prevents a meeting Of the COMMITTEES on
rules