Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-19
NATIONAL ARBITRATION BOARD.
Labor Commissioner WriEht's Draft
of a Bill to Create One.

Labor Commissioner WriEhts Draft
of a Bill to Create One.
Labor Commissioner Wright has sent to
Representative Erdman CT Pennsylvania
the draft of bill for the national arbi-
tration of strikes. The measure was pre-
pared by Mr.. Wright and his associates on
the strike commission appointed by Presi-
dent Cleveland to investigate the great
Chicago strike. Such arbitration was rec
commended in the commissioners report,
and the bill now gives the practical details
of their plan. 1t differs entirely from the
arbitration bill heretofore introduced by
Representative Springer, being more elab-
crate and precise in its details. 1t is mod
eled after the interstate commerce act, as
that act has received judicial sanction in
almost every section. 1t provides for the
appointment by the President, with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, of a
commission, consisting of five persons, to
be known as 1.-The United States board of
Cancellation and arbitration" Not more
than three of the commissioners shall be
appointed from the same political party.
One of them shall have had experience in
the management of railroads and the
other is to be selected from some incor-
porated association of railway employees
The commission shall have authority to in
quire into the terms and conditions of all
employees subject to the act, and shall
have the right to obtain from common
Il
provisions of the interstate 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 COM
missioner shall be $500 per annum; the
secretary to be appointed shall have a sal
airy of $500.
Headquarters in This City.
The principal offices of the commission
shall be IN the city of Washington, where
its general sessions shall be held, but spe-
cial sessions may be held anywhere in the
United States. An annual report shall be
submitted and the publication of the re-
ports and decisions may be authorized
and shall be competent evidence in all
courts of the United States.
The bill provides that the system of
arbitration ana Cancellation shall apply to
common carriers engaged in the transpor-
taticn between the states of passengers and
property by railroad and by water, and to
all persons and corporations leasing cars
used for such transportation and all their
employees; that the wages paid in such
transportation and handling and the rules
and regulations shall be reasonable and
just, not, however, taking away the right
TO make contracts Whenever 1t shall
come to the knowledge of the commission
that strike or controversy between those
subject to the act is threatened or has
occurred, 1t shall be its duty as soon as
practicable TO put itself in communication
with both parties, and endeavor by media
ton and Cancellation to effect settle
ment.
Likewise upon the request of employees
or interpretations, as well as of its own
volition, 1t may make an investigation.
All reports of Investigations and media
tons and the findings of acts therein
shall be prima facie evidence as to each
and every fact and be given due weight
in all judicial proceedings, and the At
torney General of the United States, to
whom the same shall be transmitted, shall
take such action as is necessary. Dur
ing the tendency of an arbitration 1t is not
lawful for an employer to discharge an
employe nor for such employees or asso-
Citations to aid or abet strikes nor to quit
employment without thirty days notice.
The violation of this provision is made
misdemeanor.