Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-08

b
The Governors Mossa &c relating to
nHetic utilities under suspension on the
rules. IN Act to create public atil-
ities commission, prescribe its pow
ers and duties and provide for reeu1a-
ton and control Of public utilities and
that it ought to piss.
The report was accepted, aud ON mo-
ton by Mr. HerseE the bill was ia
! hled fof printing aad 1000 extra copies
| ordered printed FOR the use Of the Leg
islaiure.
ON motion by Mr. cole Of York, the
fdl,S were suspended and that senator
presented report af he committee on
legsi affairs, ON bill. An Act relating
! 10 the Fort Kent Electric Company, re-
| porting same in y new draft. under
the same 6tle and tlat it ought 10
pass.
The report was accepted and the bill
tabled Tor printing under The Joint
rules.
or motion by the same senator. the
| rules were suspended, and that sena-
Tor presented. bin, An Act creating 4
State police force.
On further motion by the same sen
ator. he bill was tabled for printing
pending reference 10 the committee on
leeal affairs
ON motion by Mr. Colby Of Somerset,
| the rules were suspended, and that
senator presented bill, An Act 10
amend Chapter 1g3 af the Public Laws
Of 1907. erecting the Maine Forestry
District, ana providing for protection
lgaiast forest fires therein.
on further motion by the same scna-
tor, the bill was referred to the com
mittec on State lands and forest pres
erFation.
Or motion byrMr Maxwell Of Saga
dahoc, Senate Document 43s. An Act
for me adjustment Of grade crossings
Of railroads. Nsts Taken from the table.
ane on further motion by the samn|
senator, was referred to the commit
tee on railroads and expresses.
from the Houae Report Of tlhe COM
mitiee on Judiciary ought Is pass en-
An ACT ~ requisite by arbitration
.stfikes. iockouts ana Disputes between
employers ana employees Of public utn-
tiles. 80
Inc report vas read ia fan ly the'
secretary.
STATE oF MANI.
TIE committee on judiciary. to which
was referred he bill entitled An Act
to regulate hy arbitration strikes lock
| oaia and disputes between employers
and employees of public utilities" have
had the same under consideration and
ask leaVe to report that The same,
ought not 10 pass, and deem it advis-
| able. und-f the circumstances. to give
their reasons for this report.
THIS bill was evidently intended to!
furnish n remedy for the serious con-
dition that has brought great injury tn
the public. growing out of the strike
now pending on the Bangor K ARGOS
took Railroad in this state. and its III
Inmate object was intended to secure
ftoin This Legislature some law making
possible compulsory arbitration in mat
ters ol strikes and Iockouts.
At the hearing before this commit
lee, certain representatives Of labor
organizations appeared by heir attor-
neys who claimed 10 represent thei
Wishes and desires OF the striking en-
ployes Of the Bangor x Aroostool1
Railroad Company. They requested the
committee to port Il bin that would
compel public service corporations, in
case OF strikes and lockouts, to arbi-
trate the disputes between such pub
lie Utility and their employees, to arbi-
trate the disputes between such public
utility and their employees. and to be
bound by the decision. and 10 force the
public utility, If the decision was i'm fl
var OF the employee 10 pay The waGei
Fixed by The court af arbitration, ia re
ceiYe back into employment the strlk-
ing employees and TO do and perform
whatever else The court should find
necessary Ia he eone to settle the dis !
pute, strike and lockout. Saeh proposed
legislation was most strenuously OPP
EoSed by tho attorneys for the Bangor
q AroostG1k Railroad Company and
others, ON The ground that compulsory
arbitration was unconstitutional and
beyond the power OF This Legislature
10 enact n laW that would be upheld
and enforced by the court
This committee recognizing the seri- |
Gus condition brought about by this !
strike and. the great demand of the
public upon the Legislature for some
relief have given this matter very /
careful attention, both as to the facts !
and the decisions of the court that
have any bearing upon the subject of
compulsory arbitration.
At the very beginning Of this strike, 7
the Governor requested the State
Board Of Arbitration and Cancellation !
to investigate the same, under the
provisions Of law now in force in this
state This the Board proceeded 10
do. and after a very careful and
thorough investigation, they reported
10 the Governor their findings, with
the evidence so taken, and thereupon
The Governor accompanied this report |
bY message 10 the Legislature
At the outset. we recognized the
fact that any law enacted by this
legislature. to he constitutional, must
apply to all public utilities alike 9th