The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-05-06
SUGGESTS REMEDY
.FORLABOR DISPUTES

Relations, by julius Kruttschnitt,
chairman of the executive committee
of the company, in which Mr.. Krutt-
schnitt explains and amplifies his an
swer to the question as to what could
be done to settle labor disputes and
maintain industrial peace in the fu-
ture.
In this letter, written under date of
April l4th, Mr.. Kruttschnitt suggests
that the usefulness of the Newlands act
providing mediation, arbitration and
coneiiation in controversies between
certain employers and employees
could be greatly increased if it were
made to apply to all railway employees
engaged in interstate commerce, in
stead of employees engaged in train
service or operation only; and, further
more, that the board of mediation and
eoneiliation should be co-ordinatei
with or subordinated to the interstate
commerce commission, so that the same
authority responsible for increasing
expenses of the carriers should at the
same time incur responsibility for
providing revenue to meet the expendi-
lures. He cites the Canadian industrial
disputes investigation act, which has
worked well because it makes an APP
peal to a mediation board compulsory
and enjoins strikes and walkouts until
the board can investigate the facts.
Mr.. Kruttschnitt in his letter says:
Gone of the questions asked me
when I appeared before your honorable
commission in Chicago, on Saturday,
April 10th, was what could be done to
settle labor disputes and maintain in
dustrial peace in the future. should
! like with your permission, to explain
my answer in some detail.
'sThe act of Congress, approved
June Is, 1913, known as the Newlands
act. providing for mediation, arbitra-
ton and Cancellation in controversies
between certain employers and EN-
ployes, is a great Improvement on the
| Erdman act, which it supersedes, but
it relates to employees engaged in train
service or operation only, of common
carriers engaged in interstate COM
merce. It's usefulness would be greatly
Increased if it were made to apply TO
all railway employees engaged IN the
interstate business of the employer,
including those engaged In keeping IN
repair cars, locomotives, appliances,
machinery track, readbed. and other
instrumentalities of interstate CON-
merce. Inc DOdTu VI iiCuiotAOh ohi'a
conciliation, appointed by the Presi-
dent under the act, has proven useful
in maintaining industrial peace, but
as it frequetlv results, as a conse-
ouence of invoking the services of this
board. that railway expenses are IN
creased. it is very important to the
carriers that the board should be close
llv co-ordinated with or better still,
subordinated to the interstate COM
merce commission, so that the same au-
lthoritv responsible for increasing the
expenses of the carriers should at the
same time incur a corresponding res
lnonsibilitv for providing revenue to
meet the expenditures. The reasonable
ness of such a provision is apparent
when the complete control of revenues,
land almost equally complete control or
expenditures bv government at the
present time, is considered
'sThe Newlands act provides that
when a controversy arises, either party
may apply to the board OF medlatlon
and Cancellation for its adjustment,
and the board may offer its services to
the parties in controversy where in
terruntion to public service is immi-
nent. There is no obligation, however,
other than a sense of obligation to the
/ public, on either employer or en-
Move to submit Differences 10 media
tion. Instances have occurred where
mediation and arbitration have been
| stubbornly refused, with utter dlsre-
, card of the publie's interest and rights,
and the act offers no remedy. rms de-
feet could apparently be remedied, as
is done in the Canadian industrial dls-
putes investigation act of 1907, whlch
makes a combination, lockout or strike
illegal until the questions at issue
shall have been thoroughly lnvestlgaO,,
ad and made public; and there should
~. a nrovision that where the board
offers its services for investigation, me-
diation and eoneilation, it shall be OBJ
, lgatorv ON and not optional to the par
ties. to submit their differences so tnat
the public may judge the dispute IN
telligently.
ssThe desirable feature in the Ca
madam act is that it eompels investl-
gation and publicity, and peace pend
mo investigation; and paves the way,
as the Newlands act does, to arbltra-
tiop. which, however, is optional with
the narties to the dispute. The Cana
dian department of labor, in its bull
t lletin of April, 1914, reviews the pro-
I ceedin0s under the industrial disputes
j Investigation act of 1907 for period
4 OF seven years, during which 1T has
E been in effect. One hundred and sixty
. two applications had been received, as
4 result of which 141 boards OF con-
eiliation and investigation were es-
} tabiished. In 10 eases the matters IN
dispute were adjusted by mutual agree
r ment while steps were pending for the
I establishment of boards. Two applica-
/. ltions were under consideration at the
o end Of the year. There We're altogether
only IS eases in seven years in which
strikes were not either averted or end
ed in the operation of railways, five in
I railway offices, shops and yards, and
!. one in the operation of a street rail-
wav. Ia report dated December 3,
1912. on the industrial disputes inves-
tigation act of Canada, 1907, made by