The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-04
LABOR ARBITRATION BILL.
As Amended, 1t Is Endorsed by Mr..
Wright and Railway EurrIoyes.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.-The amended
labor arbitration bill agreed on by the
House committee on labor, after conferences
with representatives of the organizations of
locomotive engineers, trainnen, firemen and
conductors. has been reported to the House
by Mr.. Erdman, of Pennsylvania. Incor-
porated in the report accompanying the bill
are two letters addressed to Chairman Nc
Gam, approving the bill-one from Hon.
Carroll D. Wright, Commissioner Of Labor.
and the other from the labor representatives
above referred to.
The bill agreed on by the committee, Mr..
Wright sets forth in his letter, contains all
the vital principles included in the bill pre-
sented by himself and Mr.. Herman as an
outcome of the investigation of the Chicago
strike. ut is a BILL" he says, which, in
its provisions, seeks to place labor on a
more thorough basis than it now occupies 1t
also, in its most material sections, especially
Z, s and 8, brings TO labor organizations the
opportunity for really perfecting their work
and for cooperating with the managers of
railroads in preventing strikes and all man
ner of violence, in avoiding threats and in
eliminating intimidations. 1t also gives en-
ployes an opportunity to be heard, when re-
ceivers are in control OF railroads., upon the
question of the reduction of their wages,
and the conditions of their employment,
should changes therein be sought by receiv-
ers. The bill provides, SO far as arbitration
Is concerned, for immediate action, first, to
secure Cancellation or mediation, and, falling
IN that, the constitution of a board of arbl-
%tration. the awards of which may be final
II the Parties coming before it agree that
lney shall be.
A the rights, privileges and prerogatives
OF Dotn LABOR ana capital, as represented in
.ne operation or interstate ral.roaus, are
thoroughly secured ana protected by the
Dlli. ana 1T so nearly con%prenends all the
features OF the bill winch was drawn by
the majority of the recent strike commits
sion, tnat l see no reason Whatever tor
critlcising 1t adversely. On the other hand,
while 1t Will not solve the labor problem,
nor prevent strikes entirely, 1T WILL, in my
opinion, do much to Sleauy the forces in
vowed and aTTord a powerful and even eff
fecflve balance wheei in interstate contro-
versies. In the interest of successful rail-
road operation, wnIca must be preserved in
order TO have our industries properly car
ried on, / trust the Congress may approve
the unanimous action oil your committee,
which mas SO promptly responded to the call
made on it."
Inc other letter is signed by +. +. Clark,
Order of Railway Conductors: Frank p.
Sargent and F.. M. Arnold, Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Firemen; p. NJ. Arthur, Broth
Cease and w. G. Edens. Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainnen, and w. v. Powell.
Order of Railroad Photographers. This letter
sets forth that the organizations Of railway
employees represented are in hearty accord
with the general sentiment in favor of arbi-
tration, as a means for settling disputes
and favor the enactment of laws by the
National Congress as preferable to any that
II Light be enacted by the Legislatures of the
diffe rent States. "Our position" the letter
says, lis based on the fact that these Or
genizatiOns are composed of reasonable and
.aw-abiding men, who ask no especial favors
and desire nothing but what is right and fair.
We are not disposed to allow any of our
personal preferences in matters of detail to
stand in the way of the enactment of some
law that will give arbitration a fair test"
Tn writer's point out that they have never
been willing to subscribe to the idea Of a
permanent commission, or a fixed arbitrator
named In advance, and, agreeably to that
idea, proposed the amendments regarding
the organization of the arbitration commits
sion already pointed out in these dispatches
At the same time, they think it essential
there should be some government officer
matter of settlement of disputes by concil-
fation or meditation, and if this is unsuc-
cesSful, to attempt to secure arbitra. ton be-
fore war IS declared.
In objecting to Section 10 of the bill as
originally drawn by the Attorney-general.
suits in equity to prevent a continuance of a
strike, the labor men say they believe it
covers 81 OuLd not ~Ontemplated by the pre-
ceding provisions of the bill, and that it
could easily be construed in such way as to
entirely defeat the objects aimed at. We
representatives of the general government
with authority which is not consistant with
the accepted understanding of the rights of
property owners or individual citizens. In
short, we look on it as a long step in the
direction of government paternalism, or
or. to use a briefer and stronger term, State
socialism, pure and simple"