Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-01-18
NOW COMES OLNEY.
The Attorney General Has an
Arbitration Bill.
SYNOD SIS OF THE PROPOSED Law.

Comprehe Definition Of the Phrase
.Isailway Employs" "A Cl.use That
Makes IL Compulsory On the Roads Bill
of the Chicago Civic Federation ON the
Same Subject for Iilinois-Debs Refused
Writ of Error at Washington.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S-A labor arbitra-
ton plan has been devised by Attorney
General Olney and introduced by Mccain.
Of the house committee on labor, intended
as a substitute for the one framed by La.
Dor Commissioner Wright. In several
points the bill is more far-reaching in its
propositions than any that has been
brought forward. The terms railroad"
and ''employc" are defined in the bill, and
the latter includes those working on cars
operated by carrier under lease. making
the carrier responsible for their acts as
though they were employed directly by
him. ~he wages paid to employees, 1t is
stipulated, shall be reasonable and just
In case of wage controversies the chair
man Of the interstate commerce state COM
mission and the commissioner of labor are
to communicate with the parties and en-
OcdVOf 10 cIIcct an iullCdDtt NfttetIlSHt.
Features Of an Arbitration.
If this mediation fails the controversy
may be submitted to board of arbitra-
ton of which the chairman Of the inter-
state commerce commission shall be chair
man and which shall consist also OF one
commissioner chosen by the employer and
one to represent the worknen in the con-
T.,
parties shall stipulatc in Writing that
pending the arbitration the existing
status shall not be changed. That the
award shall be final unless set aside for
error of law apparent on the record. That
the parties shall faithfully execute it and
1t may he enforced in equity so far as
the powers of a court of equity permit.
That employees dissatisfied with the award
shall not quit work without three months
notice in writing. That the award shall
be continued in force for two years and
during that peRiod no new arbitration be-
tween the same parties OH the same sub
ject shall he had.
Time for Observation-Disclosures Provided.
The award is to he filed with the United
States circuit court clerk in the local dis
trict and thirty days are allowed to file
exceptions. in which case the award goes
into effect ten days after the exceptions
arc decided. Where no exceptions are
taken the award goes into effect at the end
of thirty days. During that time It would
be unlawful for organizations or EN-.
ployes to order, aid or abet n strike OF
boycott or to leave their employment
without giving thirty days notice in
writing; nor can they be discharged with.
out thirty days notice except for causes
mentioned. Violations of this provision
are made misdcmainor. punishable by
O., 900 fine or one years imprisonment
Membership in incorporated labor organ.
izations, il is provided, shall be tcrmin.
ated by indulgence in lawlessness, vic.
lencc, destruction of property, intimida
ton or threats by members during strikes.
but they arc not to be held individually
liable for debts of tine organization.
Roads in the Hands of Receivers.
The employees of roads managed by re.
ceived appointed by the federal courts
shall have the right to bc heard through;
the officers of their organizations or their
representatives in the federal courts on
questions affecting the terms of their en-
ployment. Employers who make it q con.
dition of employment that men shall not
be members of any labor organization, or
discharge or threaten to discharge men
for such membership, or discriminate
against them because of il, or enter into
contracts compelling the men to con-
tribute to any fund for charitable, social
or beneficial objects, or after discharging
men conspire to proven. them from OBJ
tanning employment. shall be guilty Of a
mistiemeanor. punishable by fine Of
from 800 to 81, 900.
Where the Compulsion Comes In.
If disputes threatening to injuriously
affect the interests of the people of any
section are not submitted to arbitration
the attorney general, the bill provides,
shall bc authorized to apply to the district
court for receivers for the railroad to take
possession Of the property and run it in
the interest Of the public, and may make
the employers and employees and any per-
sons or organizations aiding or abetting
them parties to the suit.
STATUS OF THE ANTl-OPTtON BILL