St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-12-19
A BILL FOR ARBITRATION.
It Provides for a Commission
Similar to the Inter-
state.
BE REPORTED FAVORABLY.
Friends of the Bill Hope to
Get 1t Under Considera-
tion This Week.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Labor Com.
missioner Wright has sent to Repre-.
sentative Erdman, of Pennsylvania, the
draft OF bill for the national arbitra.
tlon of strikes. The measure was pre-
pared by MIR. Wright and his associates
on the strike commission appointed by
President Cleveland to investigate the
great Chicago strike. Such arbitration
was recommended in the commissions
report, and the bill now gives the prac.
ucal details of their plan. Ii differs
entirely from the arbitration bill here
tofore introduced by Representative
Springer, being more elaborate and
precise in its details. Mr.. Erdman will
Introduce it in the house tomorrow.
The title of the bill is bill concern
ing carriers engaged in Interstate COM
merce and their employees" 1t ID
modelled after the Interstate commerce
act. as that act has received judicial con
structlon i'll every section 1t provides for
the appointment by the president, with
the advice and consent of the sehate, of
commission consisting OF five persons,
to be known as the United States board
of
Cancellation and Arbitration.
Not more than three commissioners
shall be appointed from the same polit-
ical patty. One of them Shall have had
experience in the management of rail-
roads, and another is to be selected
from some incorporated association of
railway employees. The commission shall
have authority to inquire into the con-
dlt1Ons of all employees subject to the
act, and shall have the right to obtain
from common carriers all necessary in
formation. The provisions of the inter-
state commerce act are closely followed
in this respect. The commission has the
power TO make all the necessary rules
and regulations. and may administer
oaths. The salary OF each commissioner
shall be $500 per annum; the secretary
to be appointed shall have salary OF
So. 500. The principal Office of the COM
mission shall be in the city of Wash
ington, where its general sessions shall
be held, but special sessions may be
held anywhere in the United States.
An annual report shall be submitted,
and publication of the reports and de-
cisions may be authorized and shall be
competent evidence in all courts of the
United States.
The Bill Provides
that the system Of arbitration and con-
ciliatiOn shall apply to common carriers
engaged in the transportation between
the states of passengers and property,
by railway and by water, and TO all per-
sons and corporations leasing cars used
for such transportation and 10 all the
employees; that the wages paid in such
transportation and handling, aud the
rules and regulations. shall be reasOna-
bic and just, not. however, taking away
the right 20 make contracts.
Whenever it shall come to the knowl-
edge of the commission that strike or
controversy between those subject TO
the act is threatened, or has occurred,
it shall be It's duty. as soon as
practicable, to put itself in com
munication with both parties and
endeavor by mediation and concilia-
ton to effect settlement. Like
wise upon the request of employees or
corporations, as we'll as Of its own
volitiOn, it may make an investigation.
All reports of Investigations and medi-
ations, and the findings of facts therein,
shall be prima facia evidence as to such
and every fact and be given due weight
in all judicial proceedings, and the at
torney general OF the United States, 10
whom the same shall be transmitted,
shall take such action as is necessary.
During the tendency of an arbitration
it is not lawful for an employer to dis
charge an employe nor for such emplOye
and association to aid or abet strikes
nor to quit employment without thirty
days notice. The violation of this pro-
vision IS made misdemeanor.
Incorporation of Unions.
In section Is the incorporation of en-
ployes is encouraged, and chapter SCI,
United Statutes 1856, is enlarged so as
to provide that the constitution and by
laws of such association shall contain
provision that membership shall cease
by participating in schemes Of violence,
strikes, etc, and that the members shall
not be personally liable for any acts,
debts or obligation Of the organization.
Whenever receivers appointed by the
federal courts are i'll control OF a rail-
road the employees shall have the right
to be heard in the court upon all QueS-
tions affecting the terms of their employ
ment, and no reduction of wages shall
be made by the receivers without the au-
thority 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 be-
come a member of labor organization
or to threaten an employe with loss OF
employment or discrimination because
of such membership, or to require such
employees TO become a member of q
beneficial organization.
The purpose is to have the bill con-
sidered by the labor committee Of the
house at an early day. There is no
doubt of favorable report on it and it
is hoped to secure consideration for it
in the house soon after the holidays.
MeSsrS. Sergeant, Arthur and other
chiefs of every labor organization are
now in Washington and will be con>
ulted concerning the measures.
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