The herald., 1898-05-06
assed. The house adjourned until Mon
A Bill Passed

"A DILL dSSC0
A bill passed authorizing the construc-
tion of a bridge across the Arkansas River
at Webbers Falls, 1. T., and another
to consider the conference report upon the
Alaskan homestead act. which Mr.. Lacey
Qa.) called up.
After an hours debate, the conference
report was adopted by vote of Sc to 8.
Before agreement was reached speeches
were made by Messrs. Lacey Qa.) who re-
ported the bill; Shafroth, (Cal); De vries.
(Cal), and Ellis, (Ore.), in favor of the
bill and Messrs Pitney. IN. J.); Parker, IN.
J.) and Loud. (Cal.). against.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Ohio) then called up from
the Committee of Labor the bill for arbi-
tration of disputes between railroads and
their employees.
Mr.. Grosvenor, explaining the bill in re-
ply to questions. said the measure was not
did not require employers or
employees to arbitrate. but merely opened
a clear way to arbitration should the par
ties avail themselves of 1t, and offers way
to carry out under governmental direction
an award reached through mutual and vol
untary agreement.
Mr. Mcguire of California attacked pro-
visions of the bill requiring employees to
not leave their employers under three
months notice after the filing of the award
without giving thirty days notice. He said
the provision left the question of punish
ment of violations of the provision open.
Mr.. Lewis of Washington moved to re-
commit with instructions favoring num-
erous amendments which was defeated,
and the bill passed.
1t provides that in case serious contro-
versy concerning wages, hours of labor or
conditions of employment shall arise be-
tween the carrier subject to the act and
the employees, the chairman Of the inter-
state commerce commission and the COM
missioner of labor shall, upon the request
OF either party, endeavor to amicably set
tie the dispute by mediation and in case
the endeavor shall fail, then the contro-
versy may be submitted to arbitration of
board OF three persons, each party to the
controversy TO name one arbitrator and the
two named shall name a third. The
agreement to submit must contain stipu-
lations that the arbitration shall be begun
within five days. and the award shall be
filed within ten days from the appointment
of the third arbitrator; that the award
shall be filed in the circuit court of the
United States for any district wherein the
employer carries on business; that the
parties shall consider the award final and
conclusive and faithfully execute the same;
that the award shall continue in force as
between the parties for one year, and that
the employer shall not dismiss nor shall
any employe dissatisfied with the award
quit work under three months without
giving thirty days notice. The award shall
become final and operative ten days after
filing, unless an appeal shall be taken
within the ten days on exceptions to matter
of law. The act recognizes organized Ia
Dor and provides penalties for employers
against employees by reason
of their connection with or purpose to join
such organization.
The house passed a bill granting to the
Washington Improvement and Develop
ment company right of way for a railway
and telegraph line through the Colville in
dian reservation in Washington state.
At 4:35 pm. the house adjourned until
Monday.