The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-20
SEI7LEMENI OFSyRIKE>.
Labor ComDissiouer wright Submits
Bll

WASHINGTON, Dec 49, Labor Com
missioner Wright has sent to Representa-
tive Erdman. Of Pennsylvania the draft
of bill for the national arbitration Of
strikes The measure was prepared 10y
MI Wright and his associates on the
strike commission appointed by President
Cleveland 10 investigate the great chicago
strike. Such arbitration was recon-
mended in the commissions report, and
the bill now gives the practical details OF
their plan diffeys entirely from the
arbitration bill heretofore introduced by
Representative Springer. being more elah-
crate and precise in Is details. Mr.. Erd-
man will Introduce ii IN the House to-
morrow.
The title of the BIN is: "A bill concern
ing carriers engaged in interstate CONF
merce and their employees. II Is modelled
after the Interstate commerce act II
provides TOT the appointment by the Pres
ident, with the advice and consent OF the
Senate, OF a commission consisting OF
five persons. 10 be known as The United
States Board of Cancellation ana ArDllId-
ton Not more than three OF the CON-
miSSiOners shall be appointed from the
same political party. one OF them sndlI
have naa experience IN the management u
railroads. and me others IS 10 be selected
from some Incorporated ASSOCIATION OF
railway employees. The commission Sndll
have authority to inquire into the terms
and conditions of all employees subject 10
the act, and shall have the rlght 10 OBTAIN
from common carriers all necessary III
formation. The provisions of the inter-
state Commerce act are closely followed
in this respect. The commission mas the
power TO make all the necessary TultS
and regulations, and may administer
Caths The salary OF each coHliillssIoIe
shall he 81 800 per annum and the secretary
TO be APPOINTED shall have salary OF
$500 The principal Offices OF me COM
mission shall be in the clly OF " asn'nS-
ton, where its general sessions Shali DG
held. but special sessions may 10 NJ
anywhere in the United States. An an
nual report shall be submitted, ana the
publication of the reports ana declslohs
NAV be authorized. and shall be coHspe
tent evidence in all courts OF the Ohl'eu
States. .,, 81
The bill provides that the system OIL
arbitration and Cancellation Shdll Apply
10 common carriers engaged IN the trdhs-
portdtion between the states OF pas II
gers and property by railroad ana DS
wafer and to All persons and corpora
lions leasing cars used for sucn trans
portation and all their employees, lhdI
the wages paid in Sucn TRANSPORTATION "Ilu
handling. and the rules ard regulations.
shall be reasonable and just, not how
ever, taking away tie risht 10 hidhe
contracts -. ,..,,,,t-
edg. OF the commission that strike OF
controversy between those subject 10 the
act is threatened or has occurred, Il snail
be its duty as soon as practcaDle 70 Pu'
itself I'm communication with pom pdf4es'
and endeaVor by mediation ana cohc.lIa-
tioL 10 effect a settlement. Likewise, upon
the request Of employees or interpretations.
as well as of It's own VOlluOn, IL may
make an Investigation. All reports OF IN
Vestigations and mediat!ons aud the hnq-
ings of facts therein shall be prlma fdcle
evidence as TO each and every TACT anu
be given due weight in all judicial pro-
Ion al a.
United States to whom the same shal.
be submitted shall take such action as IS
nee ess AIRY. During the pendency oil an
arbitration il is not lawful FOR an EN-
ployLr TO discharge an empl0Ye, nor lOl
such an employe or associations 10 AID
or abet strikes. nor to quit employment
without thirty days notice. The violation
of this provision is made misdelneanor
In SECTION - the Incorporation. Of en-
ployes is encouraged, ana chapter 5J1.
United States Statutes, 1886, Is enlarged
so as to provide that the constitution and
bylaws OF such association shai1 con-
tain a provision that membership shall
cease by participating in schemes of vio-
ience, strikes, etc, and that the members
shall not be personally liable Tor any
acts, debts or obligations of the organi-
cation. WI eneVer 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 Ques-
tons affecting the terms OF their en-
ployment. and no reduction Of wages
shall be made by the receiver without the
authority of the court after due notice,
1t Is further made a misdemeanor for any
officer or employer 10 require employees
to enter into an agreement not to be
come a member of a labor organization.
or 10 threaten an employe with loss OF
employment or Discrimination because Of
such membership. or 10 require such en-
pioyes to become a member OF q bene-
fetal organization.
The purpose is TO have the bill con-
sldered by the Labor Committee of the
House at an early day. There is no doubt
of favorable report on IT. and ii is hoped
to secure consideration for il In the House
soon after the HOLIDAYS. Messrs Sargent.
Arthur and other chiefs of railway labor
ORGANIZATIONS are now i'm Washington.
and wiz be consulted concerning the
measure.