Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-23
LABOR BILLS.
Congressman Foss Wants National Arbitration
 Tribunal. Visitors.

f Washington, Feb. 28.--Among the
 numerous labor bills introduced in
 congress this session, is one presented
 which provides for national arbitra-
 ton tribunal, the duties of which is to
 settle all disputes between capital and
 labor. The bill provides for commits.
 sion of SIX members, one of whom
 shall be the secretary of commerce
 and labor, and the rest shall be ap- pointed by the president and confirm ed by the senate. Whenever dis pute between employer and employees is threatened, and such dispute in- wolves any commerce with foreign na- tions or among the several states, then either party to the controversy may petition the tribunal and ask them to settle the dispute. By so do- ing, however, the parties agree to bind themselves to accept the settlement suggested by this tribunal. The par ties also bind themselves to maintain their relations of employer and enl- ployes while the investigation is be- ing conducted by the tribunal. Both sides have a right to be heard and to present their claims with equal inn partiality.
 There are several other provisions of this bill on the same lines, making it a very important measure i'll the af ctr nd 6iSnrJfnS to hours and wages. It seems, how posed to the bill. To-day petitions were receiyed by the members of the Connecticut delegation from the Gen. tral Labor Union, of Hartford. urg- ing them to vote against the bill. The petition states that the only. practical value of it seems to be that it pro- vides for, the spending of $52,OOO q year in salaries.
 The bill is before nle house commit tee on labor, but has not as yet been considered by the committee. Many members think that it would be a good solution of the labor problem. It certainly would relieve congress of considerable labor agitation, if this measure should become law. It would end the controversy, as to eight hour law, a matter which has been be- fore congress for these ten years. The bill is likely to figure quite extensive ly in congress, if not this session, lat CT on, as there is disposition. here to do something definite in the settlement of the relations between capital and labor.
 The manufacturers have not as yet been heard from ill relation to this bill They are at present engaged in opposing the eight hour bill and anti inj junction bill. It is claimed that this year the committee on labor is not in favor of the eight hour bill, which has been reported by the house committee for several sessions past. In fact 1t is predicted that no bill will be re- ported this session, and if this is so, the whole matter will go over for at yeast two years more.
 Among the visitors at the capital are: T. w Eaton, of Naugatuck, at the National; Mrs ID. F. Shepard and Mrs Thomas F, Ellis, of Bridgeport, a tthe Raleigh: Mr and Mrs s. T. Staples Mir James Staples, Mir and Mrs r. A. Strong, Mir W. G. Johnson, Mir. D. F. Tower, MT E. E. Parsons and MT c. B. Long, all of New Haven, at the Willard: Miss Florence s. Cheney, of South Manchester, and Mrs w. O. Vile, of Danbury, at the Arlington; Postmaster James Hague, of Torrington, and Senator James F. Walsh of Greenwich.