The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-21
OUR CHAMBER OF ARBITRATION
Il Has Existed In This City since 1874. but
Is Not n Popular Institution.


Since tho publication In THE Sun of last Sun
day of a London letter relating the history and
workings Of tho London Chamber of Arbitra-
ton, which was established to settle disputes
among business men. there has been some sur
prise expressed that there should not DO a SINH
lar institution In New York. As n matter Of
fact. there has boon such an institution here for
twenty three years. The London Chamber Of
Arbitration is but Ave years old.
In 1874. the Now York Chamber OF Commerce
got through the Legislature an act providing
for the arbitration OF mercantile disputes in the
port of New York" The act was passed on April
20. 1t provides for the appointment by the Gov
ernor OF an Arbitrator. who should preside over
the Court of Arbitration which the act created.
The Arbitrator was to hold office during good be-
havior. and he was to receive an annual salary
of 10000
On June 5. 1879, the original act was amended
In some minor particulars, and under the law. as
amended, tho Court OF Arbitration has contin-
ued to the present time. When the Court of Ar
bitration was created. Gov. Dix. Mt tho urgent
request Of tho Chamber of Commerce, appointed
as Arbitrator OF the court the Hon. Enoch l..
Fancher, who had recently retired from the Su.
preme Court bench. George l.. Wilson, tho
Secretary Of the Chamber of Commerce, was
appointed clork Of the court. His salary was to
The act creating the Court OF Arbitration pro:
vided that the State should pay the salaries of
the Arbitrator ard the Arbitration Clerk. but tho
Chamber of was compelled to provide
and nay for convenient rooms and the furniture
for the court, together with fuel. lights, station
cry, and attendants. Tho creating act also pro-
vided that. upon application of the parties
Interested or their representatives, tho official
arbitrator must, interpret or construe any oral
or written contract pertaining 10 any matter
which might be the subject OF arbitration under
the provisions OF this act, and he must, IL re-
quired, make II written award thereon"
The parties " To any controversy or dispute
or matter OF difference arising or being within
the port of New York, or relating TO IL subject
matter situate or coming within that port, y
might voluntarily submit tho same to the Court
OF Arbitration to be settled. Tho parties were
court. hut once the matter In dispute wns sub
mitted the parties were compelled TO abide ny
the award OF the official Arbitrator, and from his
decision there was no appeal. The Court OF Ar
bitratiOn was also empowered TO settle any dis
pute or matter of difference upon any mcrcAn-
lilo or commercial subject, outside OF shipping
interests. where all the parties thereto were reg
ularly elected members OF the Chamber of Com
mercG.
The act creating tho court made 1t impossible
for lawyers who might he employed to submit
cases In dispute for clients TO collect costs of tho
action in the event OF the awards being In their
favor. Therefore, the only foe that a lawyer
might obtain In tho Court OF Arbitration was the
retaining fec of his client. The reason for that
provision involved the reason for creating the
court. That was that merchants and importers
might have q court TO which business disputes