The Washington times., 1909-12-31
FEDERAL OFFICIALS
CONSIDER STRIKE
n. B. Perham In Washing
ton on Behalf Of Switch
men In Northwest.

For the purpose OF bringing abJut, il
possible, an adjustment OF the dispute
between the switchmen and the north
western railroads. II. 3. Perham. head
OF the railway department OF the
American Federation Of Labor. had a
conference today with Chairman Knapp
o. the Interstate Commerce Commission.
and Commissioner OF Labor NeuI- The
conference adjourned at o'clock. when
it was planned 10 resume sessions later.
No agreement had ben reached.
Perham, who arrived last night from
the West. had arranged for the confer
ence by telegraph. We are hopeful OF
effecting a peaceful settlement Of the
trouble he said before going into tho
conference, but along Just what lines
1 am not now able 20 Indicate"
The telegram sent by Mayor Haynes,
OF Minneapolis, urging President Taft
70 lend his official influence toward a
settlement of the strike. was referred
by the President today to Chairman
Knapp and Commissioners Neil.
According TO Law.
Perham's conference with the two
Government officials IS IN accordance
with the terms of the mediation and ar
bitration law, OF which former Con-
gresham Q. J. Erdman, Of Allentown,
Pa, was the author.
The so-cailed Erdman act was signed
by President Mckinley on June I, 1898.
In general, It provides a comprehensive
scheme which may be adopted for the
amicabIe settlement Of strikes and lock-
outs wherein are involved a common
carrier. doing an Interstate business,
and its employees, and specifically limits
its Jurisdiction TO disputes arising over
wages. hours OF labor, or conditions OF
employment, ana where both parties
Two methods o, arbitration are sDeci-
fled In the measure, the second to be
adopted only after the first shall have
failed. The law Grants either strikers
and employers tI,s privilege OF subTnit-
ting their diferC noes, in the first place
10 the Commissioner Of Labor and the
chairman Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission for mediation The CON
sent Of both parties TO a strike are not
necessary in this course. If the at
temptS or these two Government off
cials to arrive at an amicabIe adjust
ment Of the controversy are llnavailiDrs
a second plan is provided, this, how
ever. requiring action by both parties
The law states that here may he
three arbitratOrs IN the second DlaD.
one named by the employer, a second
by the LABOR organization Of which the
striking men are members, or, If thew
are not members Of such a uniOu y
man named by a majority of them and
a third chosen by the two already Sc
lected.
Power of Examination.
To this board OF arbitration the law
provides that both sides may submit
their grievances, in writing. Tie three
arblratOrs have the power OF calling
and swearing and examining witnesses.
They must meet within ten davs from,
date of selection or the third member /
and must reach n final decision within
thirty days. Meanwhile. the law de-
clares that the status Of the controversv
shall not be changed.
Whatever decision the arbitrators nav
reach Is filed In the United States Cir
cult Court for the district wherein the 4
dispute occurs, End is final unless legal /
error Is discovered. and may be enforced /
hy court decree. Ten days are ziveg.
either side dissati5hed with the decision
I'm which to file with the court excep- /
tions and the matter may then be car /
ried through the regular judicial pro- 1
cedure.
After a ward by the arbitrators tho en-
ployers are forbidden TO discharge en- /
plcye, or the employees to resign. with /
out lusunabie cause. for three months /
without thirty days notice I'm writing:
and the award shall be considered in /
force for ono year, without appeal, un-
less by legal procedure
The three arbitrators are granted SO /
per day salary, and necessary travelling /
expenses.