Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-08

er was pending in this Senate, the next
morning after it was presented, like
order came from the House, passed
by that Body unanimously, and was
unanimously concurred in by this SER
ate. In the meantime the Governor of
our State, feeling that public exigen-
cies required it, called upon the State
Board CT Arbitration to investigate the
strike on the Bangor & Aroostook II.
r., and to report, according to their
duties as embodied in the Statutes of
this State That committee, composed
of men in whom I have a great deal OF
confidence. men Of ability and honesty,
made a faithful examination and in
vestigation of that strike. They called
before them both parties to the con-
troyersy and heard them and their
witnesses for many days. They took a
large volume of testimony The State
went to large expense in that extended
hearing at Bangor. After long and
careful investigation that evidence was
reported to the Governor of our State.
That state Board of Arbitration made
a report to the Governor, and the Cow
ernor accompanied that report to this
Legislature, together with all the evil
dence, by a message, able, clear and
direct, for our consideration. That re-
port and that message were received
by this Legislature only a few days
ago. Two days ago the House unani-
mously received a bill or act to embody
into law legislation making compulso-
ry arbitra ton on the part of public
Ia rot
bill has been printed. House Document
Ne. 1872 That bill this morning came
from the House referred to the COM
mittee on judiciary, and by this Senate
this morning has been referred to that
committee.
/ have examined this bill, Mr.. Prcsi-
dent, and while it is my opinion tina it
is faulty in CERTAIN respects, 1t does
furnish basis and Il foundation for
legisla ton. And I think before this
committee composed of ten lawyers, a
bill may be and will be reported to
this Legislature that can authorize us
to deal with our oFn corporation and
force public service corporations to ar
bitrate their labor disputes. And If
necessary, when that bill is reported to
this / legislature and public eNigencies
demand it, if on that occasion their
still exists airy strike in this State of
such Importance that it should be dealt
with. IN emergency clause tan be add
ed To that law. ~. 5raF
Yesterday. sir. President, there was
present ted IN the House this order. read
this morning in the Senate, and now
before us which in substance calls for
a committee of, ten members of this
Legislature to sit and investigate this
same strike at the expense of the
State; to call before them witnesses
and documents and papers, and go to
great expe,4se for a full investigation
of the strike, which means repetition
of what has already been done. and to
report to this Legislature, oreto report
q bill to some committee of this Leg
islature.
Now. Mr. President. it seems to me
that it is about time to stop this mat
ter of appeals from this Legislature,
and prayers from this Legislature to
any single corporation in this State to
arbitrate.
1t seems to me from what has really
been done by this Legislature, from
What has been done by the State Board
OF Arbitration, from the message of
our Governor, it seems TO me- may
be mistaken-that the Bangor e Aroos-
took r. r. Company ought TO get the
idea that this Legislature believes in
arbitration: that our Governor be-
heves in arbitration. That all dhe
people of the State believe in ar
bitration. 1t seems to me they
ought to get the idea that public opn-
ION is in favor of arbitration. But
remember that old Book. Mr.. Presi-
dent, which says It is foolish and
senseless to give our prayers and our
devotions to idols of wood and stone,
because while having eyes they see
not, and having ears they hear not
Is it not about time to stop every
morning giving our deyotions and our
prayers to this soulless corpora ton?
I tell YOU, Mr.. President, | ara in ia
yor of a weapon being forged in this
Legislature that will enforce public
opinion, | do not believe, Mr.. Presi-
dent, that this corporation, the Bangor
& Aroostook r. r. Company pays any
attention or will pay any attention to
public opinion. think that we want
spear that can pierce the hide of this
corporation. And while this matter