Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-12
THE LABOR ARBITRATION MEASURE.
The Bill Providing for the settlement Of
Dlauutes Between Railroad C0mpAnles
and Their Employees Approved BY the
House-Hawaiian Annexation.

Der Of deliveries OF mail in all the
cities Of the country to four each day.
The amendment was sharply antagon.
lied as blow to business interests In
the large cities, but the feeling OF the
senate was such that, despite the Wig.
orous opposition. it prevailed by de-
cisive majority.
A lively debate was precipitated by
an amendment OF the committee strik-
ing out the appropriation OF $500, 900
for rural free delivery. The PROPOSE
ton was discussed for nearly two
hours. Senator Chandler, Of New
Hampshire, and Senator Butler, Of
North Carolina, leading the fight in
favor of rural delivery. BY the close
vote of 25 to go, however, the commit
tee was sustained and the bill now car.
ries no appropriation for such delivery.
Just before adjournment the senate
passed an important war measure au.
thorzing the president and general
officers Of the army to supply the Gu.
ban insurgents with arms and NUM-
lions OF war and empowering officers
Of the army serving in Cuba to supply
needy inhabitants of the island with
medicines and subsistence.
rHE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, May 6-The house yes
terday disposed Of two important
measures The Alaskan land bill ex-
tending the homestead laws to and
providing for certain railway rights
OF way in the district Of Alaska, as
amended by the senate and agreed
upon in conference, was passed. The
labor arbitration measure, providing
for the arbitration Of labor disputes
between employees and certain com.
mon carriers, q bill which had re.
ceived very wide Endorsement by labor
organizations throughout the country,
received the approval Of the house. A
numberof minor bills were also passed.
The house adjourned until Monday.
Mr.. Grosvenor, explaining the arbi.
tration bill, in reply to questions, said
the measure was not compulsory, did
not require employers or employees to
arbitrate, but merely opened q clear
way to arbitration, should the parties
decide to avail themselves of it, and
offered a way to carry out, under gov.
ernmental direction, an award reached
through mutual and voluntary agree
ment.
Mr. Cochran, of Missouri, spoke in
support of the measure as being step
in the right direction, though not per-
feet in its provisions.
Mr.. Lewis, of Washington, moved
to recommit with instructions favor
ing numerous amendments, which was
defeated and the bill passed.
1t provides that in case a serious
controversy concerning wages, hours
OF labor or conditions of employment
shall arise between a carrier subject
to the act and the employees, the chair
man OF the interstate commerce COM
mission and the commissioner Of labor |
shall, upon the request of either party,
endeavor amicably to settle the dis
pute by mediation, and, in case the en-
deavor shall fail, then the controversy
may be submitted to arbitration Of a
board Of three of persons, each party to
the controversy to name one arbitra-
tor, and the two thus named shall |
name third The award shall be-
come final and operative ten days after !
fling, unless an appeal shall be taken
within the ten days on exceptions to
matter Of law.
Mr.. Curtis, Of Kansas. from the COM
mittee on Indian affairs Of the house,
favorably reported without amend
ment the bill introduced In the senate
BY Senator Baker, to authorize cities
and towns in the Indian territory to
secure, by condemnation or otherwise,
all lands necessary for water mains,
sewers, pumping stations and for 9th
er necessary public improvements, re-
CARELESS Of tribal lines or boundaries.
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION.
WASHINGTON, May 6.-The Hawaiian
question came up before the house
committee on foreign affairs yester-
day, There was strong majority
favoring annexation. The resolution
introduced by Representative New
lands, Of Nevada, was considered
in detail. Chairman Hit made a
forcible representation to the COM
mittee Of the reasons for favor
able action at this time in view Of
the necessities existing for the use Of
that island In our war operations.
1t is understood that there will be a
favorable report from the committee.
President Mckinley will probably
send special message to congress
shortly renewing his request for the
early ratification Of the Hawaiian an
nexation treaty. Because Of the pro.
posed occupation of the Philippine
islands with strong probability that
they may be held by the United States
for period of years until Spain is
able TO pay the war indemnity certain
10 be demanded, the acquisition o.
Hawaii is 10 be urged as military
necessity. The administration is
making a supreme effort to secure the
ratification in the senate Of the treaty.
II this cannot be accomplished then
resolutions are to be considered.
Third Regiment to Move