Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-11-26

fundamental Importance to the whole
people that their operation must not
be interrupted, and means must be
worked out which will guarantee this
result" w..
Morrissey Disapproves Action.
The report is signed without reserve
by Charles r. Van Hise, Madison, Wis,
chairman; Oscar S. Straus, New York;
Albert Shaw. New York; Frederick N.
Judson, st. Louis, and Otto NJ. Eidlitz,
New York, who we're appointed by the
chief justice of the supreme court Of
the United States, the United States
commissioners of labor and the presid
ing Judge of the United States COM
merce court, and by Daniel Willard,
president of the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad, representing the railroads.
P. H. Morrissey, former grand master
of the Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men, representing the engineers, wrote
dissenting opinion in which he ex-
pressed the belief that the award
would have the effect Of retarding the
progress of arbitration in the settle
ment of industrial disputes on the rail.
roads.
Mr.. Morrissey contends that the
award does not settle the important
principles raised by the engineers and
claims that it is based upon statistics
that are not only unreliable for the
purposes for which the board used
them but that the board also erred in
the application Of these wage Stats
tics.
Can Be Only Temporary.
Fer this reason" says Mr.. Norris
sey. while the engineers will faith
fully abide by the award during the
period that it is to continue, at the
same time it can only be temporary
because it's fundamental basis Is so
insecure"
Mr.. Morrissey recognizes the i'm
portance to the engineers of the ef-
fects of such increases in wage rates
and the establishing of such uniform
rules of service as the board has
awarded. e.
There has been," he says, "a gain
in essentials and step forward has
been taken in the Standardization in
engineers rates and of conditions for
the eastern district"
Mr.. Morrissey dissents from the ma
that wage commissions be
established with power of compulsory
arbitration, although he suggests that
there are some important activities to
which wage commissions might profit
ably give their attention.
Opposes Either Side Having Majority.
A striking suggestion is made in his
that hereafter arbi-
tration boards should be so constituted
that none of the parties composing
even representatives of the
public-should have a majority of the
that the majority should be
by representatives of at
least two Of the parties agreeing.
MorrIssey's Report.
"I wish to emphasize my dissent
from that recommendation of the |
board which in its effect virtually |
means compulsory arbitration for the
railroads and their employees. Regard
less of any probable constitutional |
which might operate !
against its being adopted, it is wholly |
The progress toward |
he settlement of disputes between |
he railways and their employees with
out recourse to industrial warfare has
been marked. There Is nothing under |
present conditions to prevent It's con-
:inuance. It will never be perfect, but
sven so it will be UNNECESSARILY bet
er than 1t would be under conditions
such as the board proposes. The peace
hat would satisfy such an ideal con-
lition as that had in mind by those
making the recommendation, would |
% too dearly bought even If 1t could |
20 attained. To insure the permanent |
Industrial peace so much desired will !
require broader craftsmanship than |
hat which would shackle the rights Of |
4 large group Of our citizens" i