The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-19
ARBITRATION BILL.
The National Measure to Settle
Railroad Controversies.
1t Was Proposed by Labor
Commissioner Wright.
ITS GOOD PROSPECTS.
Prominent Labor Leaders Are
Working for It.


missioner Wright has sent to Repre-
sentative Erdman of Pennsylvania the
draft of bill for the national arbi-
tratiOn Of strikes. The measure was
pre- pared by Mr.. Wright and his asso-
ciates on the strike commission ap-
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 details of the plan.
1t differs entirely from the arbitra-
ton bill heretofore introduced by
Mr. Springer, being more ella bora te
and precise in its 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 aud 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 the United States
board of Cancellation and arbitra-
ton Not more than three Of the
com missiOuers 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
ployes. The commission shall have
authority to inquire into the condi-
tiOns of all employees sn bject 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 regul atoms
and may administer Oaths The sal
ary Of each commissioner shall be
81, 500 per annum; the secre tary 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 Cancellation shall
apply to common carriers engaged in
the trans pOrtatiOn between the states
of passengers and property by rail
road and Ov water. and to all persons
and corporations leasing cars, use of
such for transporta ton and all their
employees; that the wages paid IN
such trans pOrtatiOn 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
strike or controversy b tween those
subject to the act is threatened or
ha. occurred, it shall be its duty. as
soon as practica BILE, to put itself in
oInmunicatiOn tn both parties,
and endeavor by mediation and con
Citation to effect settlement
In section 10. the incorporate of
employees is encouraged, and chapter
567, United States statutes. 1855 Sc, is
enlarged so to provide that the con
stitutiOn and bylaws of such assOcia-
ton shall contain a provision that
mem bership shall cease by participant
ing n schemes of violence, strikes,
etc, and that the mem bers shall not
be personally liable for any acts,
debts or obligations of the Organiza-
ton.
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 a favora Bile report on it, and
it is hoped to secure cOnside ration for
it in the house soon after the holt
days AIessrs. Sargent, Arthur and
other chiefs OF railway labor organ
izatiOns are now in Washington, and
will be consulted concerning the
measures