Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-19
SENDS DRAFT Of P[AN /
FOR SETTLING STRIKES
Secretary Wilson Submits PROPOSE.
ton to Senate Committee Inves-
tigating Street Railway Dispute.

The creation Of q commission on IN
dustrial adjustment. to settle all contro-
VERSES arising between employers and
employees In railroad conducting Interstate
commerce and on street railways In the
rotary Of Labor Wilson in q conmunica-
ton sent today to the Senate committee
investigating the strike of the employees
OF the Washington Railway and Electric
Secretary Wilson sent to the committee
a draft OF bill providing for the crea-
ton OF such commission. His communi-
cation to the committee was in reply to
the committees request when he appeared
before 1t yesterday that he furnish the
committee with a plan for the settlement Of
controversies between public utility cor
trict
The bill IL similar to q bill sub
United by Secretary Wilson last Febru-
airy to Senator New1ands and Repre-
sentative Adamson for their consideray-
ton. the only change was the fnclu-
sion OF the street car systems of the
District Of Columbia within the scope
OF IT'S operation.
II believe" said Secretary Wilson. in
his letter to the Senate committee, chat
II this bill can be enacted into law it
VIII prevent strikes and lockouts by
removing the motive, make progress
possible without the use Of such in
strumentalities, and at the same time
conserve the rights and liberties Of all
persons concerned"
Opposes Compulsory Arbitration.
Secretary Wilson stated that he was
opposed to compulsory arbitration be-
cause he did not believe that any men
or set OF men should be compelled to
work for the profit or convenience Of
any other man or set of mon.
1t Is proposed" he continued, ''to
create system by which nothing can
be gained by striking"
He explained that other machinery Is
provided by which progress can be
made.
''The worker is left free to work or
not. individually or collectively, and
the employers to diamiss their worxmen
individually or collectively. but the mo-
stroyed"
Secretary Wilson said It was pre-
sumed that If Congress had the power
rates. so long as they are not connsca-
tory. it would have the same power to
create commission to regulate any
component part OF rates. such a.
The bill submitted by Secretary Will
son sets forth that the purpose Of the
commission on Industrial adjustment
shall be the adjustment Of controver-
sizes arising between employers Of labor
engaged in interstate transportation
and wage-earners employed In the same
industry. concerning wages or other
terms or conditions Of employment, and
to execute the results Of adjustments
| under the Limitations Of this act The
commission shall have Jurisdiction in
all cases wherein such controversies
and disputes interrupt or threaten to
interrupt transportation.
Commission Of Nine Men. q,
The commission y to be composed Of
dent. three Of whom shall be repre-
sentatives q employers. three repre-
sentattves OF Wage earners and three
to be representatives Of the public not
The regular term shall be nine ysasa
and the salary to each Of the commits
sioners shall be $500 q year.
The bill provides that In the adjust
ment Of wages and hours Of service at
the commission shall be just and rea-
sonable. and shall be based upon Q
workday of eight hours or less.
The commission may order extra Day
for overtime, except in that street car
service In the District Of Columbia the
commission shall have authority to de-
termfne the hours OF labor.
In each order the rate OF wages shall
work performed.
The order or orders Of the commission
be made for and continue In force for q
perod Of three years. It is provided.
however. that employers or wage earn
ers may at the expiration of three
years petition the commission to re-
consider the proposition involved and
| to make such new orders al the facts
may justify. It IL also provided that
during the initial period Of three years
either the employers or wage earners
may submit to the commission q peti-
ton supported by evidence of an emer4
gency and the commission is authorized
to receive and consider such evidence
any may reopen the case.
The bill provides that the commission
shall file copies Of its orders in the
Office Of the clerk of the Unite States
district court of any district in which
the employer may operate; and judg-
ment shall be entered upon such order
ten calendar days after such filing un-
less within that time either the EN-.
ployer or wage earnrs shall file excep.
ton thereto. The istrict court is to
pass upon such exceptions From the
ecision of the district court an appeal
may be taken to the circuit court OF
appeals. The determination of the cir
cult court Of appeals is final It IN
provided that the United States Su.
preme Court may review the determi.
nation of the circuit court of appeals
upon certiorari as provided in the 1u.
dicial code.