The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-24

Spirited Debate On. Compulsory
Arbitration Develops: Over
Two Bills In ~ouse.

Two Bills In ouse.
ST. PAUL, MIMI, Feb. 22.-Com-
pulsory arbitration Of labor disputes
was under discussion before the house
committee on labor last week. 1t
came up when Representative Knute
Knutson's bill covering this subject
was sent to that committee for con-
sideration.
Mr.. Knutson's bill is modelled after
the Lemieoux arbitration law Of
Canada. The author claimed that
labor organizations generally in
Canada were enthusiastic in their
support Of the present law. However,
there were plenty of people present
who refuted Mr.. KnutsonTs claim,
arguing, on the contrary, that organ
lied labor in Canada had repudiated
the Lemieoux act.
Mr.. Knutson's bill provides that no
strike can be called until the governor
appoints a board composed OF three
men, one of whom shall be a. repre-
sentative of the employees. one a
representative Of the employers and
the third a representative OF the
public.
Under the provisions Of the bill the
board is to be appointed within so
days after the governor receives
notice of the strike from either Of
the parties; nor can the strike be
called until the board has filed it's
findings. Strikes are not prohibited
after the findings are filed, however.
Labor representatives called alton
ton to the fact that in localities where
istence, it gives the employers an op-
porturity to import strike-breakers in
the period .elapsing between the time
the trouble breaks out and until the
board files its conclusions. This, they
say, is the great objection to the
Canadian act.
Another Bill Coming. =.
Representative McGrath stated that
ne was having the attorney-general's
office assist him in drawing = bill in
line with the suggestions embodied in
Governor Burnquist's inaugural adj
dress. This bill, he said, would not
include the Objectionable feature of
the Knutson bill, but would authorize
the governor to appoint q board of
three in each strike trouble and en-
power them to take testimony, but
| would in no way prevent the employees
! from striking while the board con-
sidered the merits Of the controversy.
President E.. G. Hall OF the State
Federation Of Labor. said that he had
little if any confidence In boards of
this kind and that all the labor: Or
CARNATIONS Of Minnesota wanted was
on opportunity TO- deal. with employ:
ers on equal terms. This. MI.r Hall
asserted, c6l}d best be done through
collective bargaining. After all, he
said, this mad proven the most salts
factory methed Of dealing wttA strike
troubles.
Senator Jones called attention to
the fact that there is now a law or
the statute books OF Minnesota which
empowers. tho governor TO Rppoint
three members OF. an Arbitration
| board, giving such board power ia
subpoena witnesses and file. its find
ings. The law. also, requires such
board to present its report, at each
session of the legislature. Mr.. Jones
stated the law had been on the books
| since 1902 and could be invoked il
the occasion demanded.
Law on Books Now.
THE fact that such q board has not
been appointed" said Senator tones
seems to me sufficient proof that
there is not any great demand for it,
existence. In fact the law we have
on the books now covers just about
what Mr.. McGrath advocates and
what the governor mentions in his in.
|augural address. I cannot see any
good reason for putting another Law
on the books. We have one there
now, and nobody seems to care
enough for it to demand that the gov.
J ernor fulfill his duty in appointing
the members of the board >"
General Organizer Bolander of the
Tailors' union spoke in opposition to
compulsory arbitration, claiming thai
the Colorado law, under which his
union has had some experience, Is be.
ing roundly condemned by organized
labor in that state. He said that the
labor unions and citizens generally
are at present petitioning the legisla'
ture in that state to repeal the law.
| The Knutson bill was laid over until
the next meeting Of the committees
when it is expected final action will
be taken in connection with the sub
ject of arbitration in labor disputes
HARRY DIX IN TOWN.
Harry l. Dix Of the Minneapoli.
Pressmen's union, and former presi'
dent Of the Minnesota State Fedora.
ton Of Labor, was 4 visitor in Duluth
during the week. Mr.. Dix is now on
the road for well known printers