New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-15
AMENDING THE ERDMAN ACT
Representative STEVENSON Explains His
Proposals.
To the Editor OF IRE Tribune.

To the Editor OF IRE Tribune.
Sir: In explanation OF the bill 7 intro
duced last Friday desire TO say that when
the switchmen's strike in ST Paul was
threatened. a couple Of week. ago. Chair
man Knapp Of the Interstate C0rnnerc@
Commission and Mr.. Neili. Commissioner OF
Labor. were requested 10 mediate under
the Erduan act. and proceeded % ST. Paul
for that purpose. but when they arrived
the strike was already declared and IL was
too late The representatives Of the strikers
IN a printed statement in the ST. Paul
newspapers 81 Thursday. December 2
stated that the reason they did not care 20
arbitrste under the Erdnan act was that
the agreement for arbitration therein con
templated bound the employees not 20 strike
or ask for higher wages until the end OF
the arbitration proceedings. and under the
Erdman act there was an appeal from the
arbitrators upon questions OF law apparent
upon the record, first to the Circuit Court
and then 10 the Circuit Court Of Appeals
which might take two years for a iglaI de-
termination.
After consultation with officials % the
Interstate Commerce Commission. as well
as with the Commissioner OF Labor, IL was
concluded that this provision in regard 20
appeal was unnecessary. and that no rea-
son exists why the decision OF the Circuit
Court should not be final The question
really arbitrated is never judicial one and
cannot be subject 70 review BY the court,
and IL is only upon questions Of Jurisdiction
that is to say, whether or not the points
decided are outside Of the arbitration agree
ment-that a legal opinion Is necessary.
The railroad telsgraphers strike two years
ago demonstrated that the law was de-
fective in this regard and that the appeal
provision Is unnecessary. Ny bill. there
fore. seeks 20 amend the Erdnan act with
a view 20 expediting a determination OF
arbitration Hereunder.
The other amendment is in regard 20 com
pensation OF arbitrstors. giving the Circuit
Court authority to allow greater eompsnss-
ton than that prescribed IN the statute
where the cases are important. II Is said
by the officials OF the department that IL is
difficult 20 get men OF sufficient standing
and Importance 10 act as arbitratcrs under
the present compensation. But the most
important provision Of my ball Il the pro-
posed section which provides that IN case OF
failure of Cancellation and arbitration aud a
threatened stoppage OF traffic upon an
interstate railroad. which is likely % result
Attorney General OF the United States may
apply for a receiver and operate the road.
IL goes without saving that no Attorney
General would exercise this authority ex-
cept in cases Of the gravest importance
where either food or fuel famine. for in
stance. was imminent by reason OF the
stoppage Of traffic. when the Erdman act
was under consideration IN lsss such a sec
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proved. by Attorney General Olney. who
then had fresh in mind this Pullman strikes
iu Chicago. Later similar provision was
approved by a national convention OF rail-
way commissioners. Tie people OF the
Northwest have been considerably excited
over the threatened s,oppage OF tranac OF
the railroads. Although there are millions
of tons OF coal at Duluth. the great prairie
sections to the west are dependent on this
coal supply. which must be carried by rail
several hundred miles. Net only the towns
and villages In that section use coal for
fuel but the farmers also According to
later dispatches one town in Red River
Valley is already confronted with q fuel
famine with the Thermometer IS degrees
LelOw zero.
As a general proposition there can be no
sound objection 10 the proposed law. II Is
simply 10 be used In cases OF great erner-
gcncy. With the general increase In thu
cost OF living II is TO be expected that In
the near future there VIII De a demand for
increased wages in all Industries. including
those employed In transportation. and
strikes are 10 be expected. The people
would feel much safer II such power was
intrUsted IN the general government Is
here proposed. and IL would also have
tendency 10 hasten a settlement Of the
labor dispute In question. for the railroads
would not like 20 have the government op-
crate their lines. nor would the labor unions
like % have the government DO so. for they
could not then with immunity interfere
with the operation. IT, STEVENSON.
Washington. Dee -, iso9-