The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-02-27
IN THE HOUSE.


Arbitration and Labor Bills Considered
Washington, February 26.--In the House
today bill to establish system of arbitra-
tion between the tarriers employed in the
interstate commerce and their employees was
considered in comittee of the whole.
Mr.. Erdmann said that the chiefs of several
orders of railway employees desirous
that the bill should pass in its present shape
for board of arbitration to consist of three
persons.
Mr. Tawney said that these gentlemen
had talked with him yesterday about the
matter and suggested there be i've membe RS
rather than three so that matters in dis
pute should be decided Dy three disinterested
persons and not lett to the dictum of one
man.
Mr.. Dingley, Republican of Maine, in
uuired how the awards of the board were to
be enforced.
Mr.. Erdmann replied that they were to
be referred to the United States courts
which would exercise the fnll powers they
now posses with respect of such matters.
The railroad employees willing to in
corporate organizations and subject them
selves as such TO liability in damages for
failure to live up TO the terms of the award.
After some further debate the bill was read
by sections for amendment.
In course of the five minute debate Mr..
Fiihian. Democrat of Illinois. criticized the
action of President Cleveland in sending
troops into Illinois during the railway
troubles at Chicago last summer. H. shared
the views Of Gov. Altgeld in relation there
to. that it was usurpation of power and
+aJ ho Oft do Of
be approved by history.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Tawney
was agreed to, adding 10 the paragraph
committing the parties to the execution of
the award under penalty of enforcement by
the Court Of Equity, the proviso that mo
employe shall be punished fol- his failure to
comply with the award as for contempt of
court
The bill was reported to the House with
the amendments as agreed upon in commit
tee of the whole with favorable rec commen-
dation. The amendment was adopted and
the bill was passed without division.
The House went into committee of the
whole on the Senate joint resolution restor-
ing the wages of compositors and book
binders in the government printing Office
from 40 to 45 cents an hour.
So much opposition was manifested
by Mr.. Mccain. chairman of the committee
on labor that it was Withdrawn.
The Phillips bill authorizing the appoint
ment of non-partisan commission to col
lect Information and consider and recon-
mend egislation to meet the problems pre-
sented by labor. agriculture and capital was
ca lied up by Mr.. MoCann, but in view of
the brief time remaining for the considera-
tion of it. at the suggestion of the auth or
it. was withdrawn and the House bill
authorizing the publication of bi-monthly
bulletins by the labor bureau, in editions of
10. 600 each, was taken up and iayorably re-
ported to the House and passed.
| Public business was suspended and the
House listened TO eulogies of late Represen.
tative Philip Sydney Post of Illinois
Among The speakers were MessIs. Boutelle
of Maine, and Grout of Vermont. Suitab BILE
resolutions were adopted and as further
mark of respect the House adjour rned.