The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1894-12-20
A BILL TO SETTLE RAILROAD
CONTROVERSIE
BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE MEASURE.
1t was Prepared by Com missioner wright
and Its Passage VIII he Urged Soon
After the HolIdays-GOOd Pros
poets of Its Passage
Prominent Labor Leaders
Working for 1t.

WAsHINGToU Dec. 10.-Labor Com
missioner Wright has sent to Repre-
sentative Erdman of Pennsylvania the
draft of a bill for the national arbi-
tration of strikes. The measure was
prepared by Mr.. Wright and his asso-
ciates on the strike commission APP
pointed by Mr. Cleveland to investi-
gate the great Chicago strike. Such
arbitration was recommended in the
commissions report and the bill now
gives the practical de tails of the plan.
1t differs entirely from the arbitra-
tion bill heretofore introduced by
Mr.. Springer, being more elaborate
and precise in it's details Mr.. Erd-
man will introduce it in the house
tomorrow. The title of the bill is,
"A bill concerning carriers engaged
in interstate commerce and their EN-
ployes.'
1t is modelled after the interstate
commerce act 1t provides for the
appointment by the president, with
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 arbitra-
ton" 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 in
corporatcd association of railway en-
ployes. The commission shall have
authority to inquire into the condi-
tions of all employees snbject to the
act and shall have the right to obtain
from common carriers all necessary
information. The 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 sal
airy Of each commissioner shall be
81, 500 per annum; the secretary to be
appointed shall have a salary OF
SO, 500. The principal office Of the
commission shall be in the city of
Washington, where its general ses-
sions shall be held, but special ses-
sions may be held anywhere in the
United States. An annual report
shall be submitted and publication of
the reports and decisions may be au-
thorized and shall be competent evil
dence in all courts of the United
States.
The bill provides that the system
of arbitration and conciliation shall
apply to common carriers engaged in
the transportation between the states
of passengers and property by rail-
road and by water and to all persons
aud corporations leasing cars, use of
such for transportation and all their
employees; that the wages paid in
such transportation and handling the
rules and regulations shall be reason
able and just, not, however, taking
away the right to make contracts.
Whenever it shall come to the
knowledge of the commission that a
strike or controversy between those
subject TO the act is threatened or
has occurred, it shall be its duty, as
soon as practicable, to put itself in
communication with both parties,
and endeavor by mediation and con-
ciliation TO effect a settlement.
In section 10, the incorporation of
employees is encouraged, and chapter
5G7, United States statutes, 1885. Sc is
enlarged SO as to provide that the con-
stitution and bylaws of such Associa-
tion shall contain a provision that
membership shall cease by participat-
ing in schemes of violence, strikes,
etc, and that the members shall not
be personally liable for any acts,
debts or obligations of the organiza-
tion.
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
IL is hoped TO secure consideration for
il in the house soon after the holi-
days. Messrs. Sargent, Arthur aud
other chiefs Of railway labor organ
izations are now in Washington, and
will be consulted concerning the
measures