The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-23
ERDMAN ACT USEFUL
IN STRIKE
AGREEMENT OF
TEIEcRAPHERs MARKS
STRIDE FORWARD.


Uncle Sans Christmas tree in very
advancement toward the
adjustment of strikes by procedure
under the Erdman act. The Order Of
Railroad Telegraphers was among the
labor organizations which secured the
of the law in 1898. and. not
vote of members to
strike. promptly and unhesitatingly ac-
quiesced in the proposal Of the railway
10 submit the dispute to arbitration
i'm the way that they and other rail
road brotherh"ods proposed ip the pre-
sentation of the bill nearly IL years
ago
"A stike Is barbaric because the out
come depends upon which side Is the
stronger" the telegraphers' committee
says. a sentiment that promises much
TO the public in the future in amieable
of differences. There is
nothing under the Erdnan law which
requires any employe to work at IN
wages. nothing compulsory
either upon the railway, but it affords
a judicial hearing and decision OF the
merits of dispute. The chairman of
the interstate commerce commission
and the United States commissioner
of labor have been called in as medi-
ators as the act provides. II media
ton fails. these officials. with "A third
II necessary. will act as arbitrators
and IL the railraod and the employees
submit the case to an arbitration board
with prescribed stipulations In writ
ing. then the findings may be entered
as a Judgment In the federal circuit in
which the dispute arose.
But the discharge of men by a rail-
-oad If dissatisfied with the result or
he striking by employees Is specifically
forbidden. There seems to be no pros
rect of compulsory arbitration of labor
disputes and the telegraphers action
indicates that none is likely to be need
ID Notwithstanding the refusal of the
switchmen's Union of North America
o abide by mediation. which they have
explained on the ground that they
would surrender the right to strike"
Mayor ID. w. Lawlor. as attorney for
he switchmen's union. has contended
hat delays of final award might be
rom one TO two years and that the
ct provides. To prevent Generalization
# traffic. that pending the arbitra-
ion the status Immediately prior to
he dispute shall not be changed"
ads of other brotherhoods take the
lew that If the final award was favor
BILE To the men the increase of pay
you'd be due in addition TO all they
lad received in the meantime. 1--WE
ant lose and we will save the expense
4 a strike" they say. contradictfng the
heory advanced by Mayor I.awlor that
he men would he in the power of the
ailroads.
Action fastened.
The arbitration of the telegraphers'
rievances was FASTENED by the inn
nediate effects upon the switchmen's
MON i'm the Twin Cities of refusing to |
bide by the mediation agreement en-
cred into by President Hawley and the |
aflway managers committee. This re-
usal seems to have been taken by the |
ublic as wanton disregard of it's rights |
nd the switchmen's cause was imme- |
lately weakened in consequence. The |
nblic seems to have reached the limit |
+ patience with the union or employer |
ihieh adopts the strike tactics which |
favor Lawlor has defended.
ongress one May day in 'ss. all oppo-
ition was quickly melted when Repre-
entative Grosvenor of Ohio an
This is one of the labor
ills. All of the labor organizations
the United States are in
avor of its passage, and their commit
ees are now here waiting for the pas
age of the bill. And the rights of
,bor organizations are not only OBJ
erved by the bill. but it meets their
pproval and they urge prompt action
pom IL, | hold in my hand state
lent signed by the leading orders. and
Is approved by the Railway Condue-
ors, the brotherhood of Locomotive
iremen. by the Brotherhood OF Loco
lotiye Engineers. by the Brotherhood
I Railway Trainmen and by the Or
er of Railway Telegraphers."
The assertions as to the origin and .
upport of the bill were equally as
ositive and unchallengea in the SEN
te. Senator Spooner of Wisconsin /.
aid: The men who have been pro-
1oting the passage of this bill are the .
representatives. of the old-time rail-
'ay organizations, MIR. Arthur. Mr.. ,
lark Mr.. Morrissey and others. all |
ZEN of ability"
The amendments Offered by the SEN
te to the house provided that no /
mploye shall be compelled to render .
ersonal service without his consent"
hat employees not members of labor |
might take advantage of |
he arbitration law; that no injunction /
r other legal processes should issue to /
nforce the Judgment OF the arhitra- I
ion court.
Law Not Used.
one of the strange things in the his |
CRY of this law is that in spite of |
he earnest and determined efforts to |
ecure its enactment. ii was not ap-
called to for nearly 10 years. And /
hen il was not made use of by either .
I the sides directly interested, but by .
II outsider. That was when President
Roosevelt directed hissecretary to COM
aeree and labor to offer his services
5 a mediator TO settle the differences
etween the Southern railroads and
heir employees.
The only other time the law has been
INVOKED was in Chicago last spring
fhen there was threatened traction
trike. The commissioner of commerce
nd labor HE ~. 4, 49,, Z