The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-12-11
HARASSED,
STILL MAINTAIN STRIKE
Continued from Page 1.

told in no unmistakable manner by
the governor that the state laws must
be obeyed. And they took the hint
and handed out no more badges and
clubs to imported strike breakers.
1 The strike throughout has been
conducted in an orderly and law-abid-
1ng manner on the part of the switch
men and Chief Troyer has found it
necessary to detail but two officers
to the western section of the city in
which the yards are located, and that
only as a. matter of ,precaution.
To those desiring a fair under
standing of, the switchmen's side Of
the case, the following statement by
Mayor Daniel w. LAWYER of St. Paul
who has been engaged as counsel by
the striking switchmen may come as
an eyeopener.
Fear Public Opinion.
: 1.-The railroad managers commit
tee, fully realizing the force Of pub
lie opinion and fearing it, are MAX
ing a concerted effort through news
paper items and editorials to charge
the switchmen with unfairness be-
cause they have declined to submit
to arbitration under the Erdman act.
i The switchmen could easily retort by
saying truthfully that the managers
are in no position to make this COM
plant for the reason that the man.
ayers from the very commencement
of the controversy have refused to
make any advances or consider any
suggestion relative to an increase in
wages.
with regard, however, to arbitra-
ton under the Erdman law, anybody
who reads that statute will readily
understand why the switchmen have
consistently refused to proceed under
1t. It is very catchy and taking
proposition to claim that where two
parties have a controversy they should
be willing to submit to arbitration
The arbitration provided for under
the Erdman law, however, is hedged
about with legal provisions which
would strip the switchmen Of all pow
er to legitimately press their claim
and it would put them completely
in the power of the railroad COM
panies.
Could Daily In Courts.
Admitting that the decision were
favorable to the switchmen, the rail-
road companies, under section 4 Of
the Erdman law, could within 10 days
after the filing of the award in the
clerks office Of the circuit court Of
this district file exceptions and take
Eli appeal to the circuit court and If
the decision still went against them.
they could take an appeal to the cir.
cult court Of appeals. This would de-
lay the final decision for period OF
from one to two years. 1t would be
unlawful for the switchmen or any
member Of the switchmep..ss union to
strike, or in any way aid a strike.
Under che first :provisc of section
3 of the act, it is provided: that pend
ing the arbitration the status exist
ing Immediately prior to the dispute
shall not be changed This means
that during the period just mentioned
the sW1tchmen would be compelled
to. work at the old schedule Of wages
and under all the conditions of which
they complain. In other words, if
the sW1tchmen were to put their
heads into this moose they would be
com pelled to accept the present
schedule and present conditions for a
period Of from one to two years. and
would surrender the right to strike
during that time
Quotes Taft When Judge.
president Taft, when & judge, said
In, one of his famous decisions that
the, right to strike is one of the most
precious rights of manhood and Of
citizenship. In view of the operation
of the arbitration clause of the Erd-
- man act, the switchmen would be un-
true to themselves and to those whom
they represent If they accepted it.
The. moment the public UNDER
stands that the switchmen have not
refused arbitration :buts have refused
arbitrationsnnder3Gt tbs t,ss Brdrpan. act and
have refused to conmih suicide the
attempt of the managers committee
to enlist public opinion against the
switchmen will fall, ~: y.
fhe Dub nubliesS aslssd secure both