The Washington times., 1894-12-19
FOR THE ARBITRATION
OF LABOR STRIKES
Hon. Carroll Wright's Bill TO Be In
tfOduCed in the House al Once.
COMMISSION TO DO THE WORK
Five Men, Not More Than Three from
One Political Party.
One of the Members to Be Selected from
Some Incorporated Association Of Railway
Employees Disputes to Be Arbitrated
Must Relate to Common Carriers Engaged
in Hauling By Railroad and Steamboat.

Labor Commissioner Wright has sent to
Representative Erdman, of Pennsylvania, the
draft of bill for the national arbitration of
strikes. The measure was prepared by Mr..
Wright and his associates on the strike COM
mission appointed by President Cleveland to
investigate the great Chicago strike. Such
arbitration was recommended in the Commits
sioner's report, and the bill now gives the
practical details OF their plan. 1t differs en-
tirely from the arbitration bill heretofore in
troduced by Representative Springer, being
more elaborate and precise in It's details. Mr..
Erdman will introduce it in the House to-
morrow.
The title of the bill is "a bill concerning
carriers engaged in interstate commerce and
their employees II is modelled after the in
terstate commerce act, as that act has re-
ceved judicial sanction in almost every see
ton. 1t provides for the appointment by the
President, with the advice and consent OF the
Senate, of commission consisting of five
persons. to be known as The United States
Board of Cancellation and Arbitration
Not more than three of the commissioners
shall be appointed from tho same political
party. One of them shall have had expert
ence in the management of railroads and the
other is to be selected from some incorporated
association of railway employees. The com
mission shall have authority 10 inquire into
the terms and conditions OF all employees sub
ject to the act and shall have the right to oo-
tain from common carriers
ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION.
rft--
act are closely followed in this respect The
commission has the power to make all the
necessary rules and regulations and may ad-
minister oaths The salary of each commits
| sioner shall be 81 500 per annum; the secre-
tary to be appointed shall have u salary OF
| $500.
The principal offices of the commission
| shall be in the city of Washington, 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 the publication of the reports and de-
| cisions may be authorized and shall be COM
| petent evidence in all courts OF the United
| States.
The bill provides that the system OF arbi-
! tration and conciliation shall apply to COM
mon carriers engaged in the transportation
| between the States of passengers. and prop
erty by railroad and by water and to all per-
! sons and corporations leasing cars used for
| such transportation and all their employees:
! that the wages paid III such transportation
and handling aud the rules and regulations
| shall be reasonable and just, not. however,
| taking away the right to make contracts.
! Whenever it shall come 10 the knowledge
OF the commission that strike or contro-
versy 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 en-
deayor, by mediation and Cancellation,
TO EFFECT SETTLEMENT.
Likewise upon the request of employees or
interpretations. as well as of its own volition,
it may make an Investigation. All reports of
! Investigations and mediations and the find
ings of facts therein, shall be prima facie
| evidence as to each and every fact and be
given due weight in all judicial proceedings,
and the Attorney General of the United
States, to whom the same shall be transmitted,
! shall take such action as is necessary. During
the tendency OF an arbitration it is not law
full for an employer TO discharge an employee
nor for such employees or associations to aid
or abet strikes nor to quit employment with
| out thirty days NOTICE The violation Of this
| provision is made misdemeauor
In section IS the incorporation of en-
! plUyes is encouraged, and chapter 567 Re-
| vised Statutes, 1886, is enlarged so as to
provide that the constitution aud bylaws OF
/ such associations shall contain a provision
! that membership shall cease by participating
| in schemes of violence. strikes, etc., and that
the members shall be personally liable for any
! acts, debts. or obligations OF the organ iza-
tiOn. Whenever receivers appointed by the
! Federal courts are in control of railroad the
| employees shall have the right to be heard in
the court upon all questions affecting the
/ terms OF their employment. and no reduction
| of wages shall be made by the receiver with
! out the authority 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 become a mem
Der of a labor organization, or to threaten an
employe with loss of employment or discrimi-
nation because OF such membership, or to
require such employees to become members
| of beneficial organization.
! The purpose is to have the bill considered
/ by the Labor Committee OF the House at an
early day There is no doubt of a favorable
| report on it, and it is hoped to secure con-
! sideration for it in the House soon after the
! holidays Messrs. Sargent. Arthur and other
| chiefs of railway labor organizations are now
in Washington and will be consulted concern
/ ing the measure.
|