The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-15
STRIKE AvERTED.
fcont,nued from Page Ones

With the passage of a new law, the
selection of a government commission
er of mediation is the next step. He
is to be appointed by the president
and will hold office seven years.
Among those whose names are being
discussed for the place are Martin A.
Knapp, now presiding judge of the
commerce court; DR.. Charles z. Neill,
former commissioner of labor; both of
whom have been identified with the
settlement of wage disputes under the
old Erdman act; and William Lea
Chambers, who also has served as a
mediator under the law. His last SER
vice was in the recent dispute be-
tween the eastern roads and their
firemen-
Woman Brought About Conference.
How yesterdays White House con-
ference was brought about became
known today when officials there said
Mrs. J. Borden Hartman, of the new
industrial commission, had told them
a strike was imminent unless a board
of mediation could be agreed upon. Be
cause of her message President Will
son and Secretary Wilson were COM
municated with and the conference
was arranged with the help of Seth
Low, president of the National Civic
federation.
The argument made by the train
men and conductors representatives
for an inspection tribunal to settle Ia
Dor disputes also became known to-
day. A. B. Garretson, of the Order
of Railway conductors, declared the
demand for an inspection commission
had begun before the department of
labor was created and therefore his
association meant no reflection on the
secretary of labor in opposing placing
the mediation board under jurisdiction
of any government department. The
railroad presidents, it was said today,
had little to say at the White House
conference but acquiesced in the desire
for an inspection board.
An announcement from the railroad
managers is expected today. The sit
uation seemed to be cleared up as re-
CARDS all roads except the Erie. That
road recently withdrew from the con-
ference committee on the ground that
it could afford to meet no wage in
crease no matter how arbitrated.
When the railroads agreed yesterday
to proceed under the Newlands law,
the Erie said its position was unchang
ed.
Just what action will be taken in
the Erie case had not been made clear
this morning. Previously the union
leaders had said they would not deal
with any road individually.
Chairman Clayton had no difficulty in
gaining unanimous consent to take up
the Newlands bill Immediately after the
house had finished opening businedss.
Avert Greatest Industrial Struggle.
Enactment of this law will avert
the greatest Industrial struggle that
has been threatened in our history"
said he. An agreement was reached for
vote after one hours debate when
the measure was to be rushed over to
the senate.
Two amendments We're determined on
by the house judiciary committee. The
senate was expected to accept them
without delay. One aims to make inn
possible any construction that would
authorize courts ny injunction or other
wise to compel an employee to labor.
The other was to provide details for
filing the awards with district courts.
In its perfected form, the new law
would furnish machinery expected to
| open up the possibilities of arbitrat ton
| and federal mediation. The new law
would establish the United States