New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-20
Bill to Adjust
Labor Disputes
Before Congress
Provides Commission or .
to Prevent Strikes and
Lock-Outs
Not Limited TO War
Orders To Be Same as Con-
tract for Both Employer
and Worker
Not Limited to War

Washington, May l9.-Not only 20
rrotect the government from any delay
in its war preparations resulting from
railroad strikes, but also, since II IS not
10 be limited TO the period Of the war.
20 complete the Presidents railroad
programme as laid down just PRIOR TO
the enactment Of the Adamson law,
compulsory arbitration bill has been
sent 70 Congress by Secretary Of LABOR
Wilson.
Senator Pittman, of Nevada, who has
been investigating the recent street
railway strike in Washington, has the
bin for introduction
The proposed law provides for crea-
ton OF United States Industrial 40
;uStnent Commission, to be composed
o, nine members appointed by the
President with the advice and consent
If the Senate Three Of the members
- ,ba commission are 10 be Representa-
tives ~ wage earners engaged IN inter
STATE transportation; three are 70 De
renresentatives o. employers so en-
aged and three ara 10 be representa-
Tives Of the public
Tbe purpose OF the commission as
defined in the bill ia "the adjustment
- controversies and disputes arsing
between employers Of labor engaged IN
interstate transportation, ana Waee
.arners employed in the same lhousli y,
concerning wages or other terms u
conditions Of employment, and 70 exc
~
the limitations OF this act
Power TO Halt Strikes
The commission Is given jurisdiction
IN All cases in which controversies Oh
disputes interrupt, or threaten 10 IN
serrupt interstate transpoItauoi'
Where the existence orpendency OF sucn
a controversy or dispute is presented
in writing to the commission elther py
an ,mployer or any person or persons
representing 90 per cent OF any recos-
niaed division Of labor, or when any
strike or lockout has been, or Is ABOUT
10 be ordered.
The commission is authorized 10 con-
duct investigations and take evidence
on which it shall prepare hndings anu
issue orders incident 10 the soJustthe ~ ~
Of the disputes brought oeiore IL
These orders shall thereafter nave inc
same force and effect both upon en-
movers and wage e2rners, as "ouIu a
contract made between the same par
ties 1,.io,
.hir effective. United States attorneys
are REQUIRED upon complaint from Ihe
Commission. 10 institute proceedings IN
the name and for the benefit OF me
gnnRpTnHn
from EMPLOYERS any sum due the wage
earners pursuant 10 the orders OF the
commission Prohibition IL also laid
unon employers to pay higher wage
tban that specified by the commission
Orders in Force Three Years
The orders Of the commission are TO
he made and continue IN force durln
period of three years from the oper-
alive date and until revoked. Employ
crs or wage earners may, at the explra-
ton of three years, petiuoh lhe CUM
mission 10 reconsider the propositions
involved in the original case ana issue
new orders. During the INITIAL perloG
of three years, If evidence IS SUBMIT
ted of an emergency or eXtraordlnsry
condition. the commission may reopen
case and promulgate new ORDERS 10
meet the new conditions.
Section 70 Of the bill expressly stlp-
ulates chat nothing in this act con-
tanned shall be held or construed TO
require a wage Garner TO render labor
or service without his consent, nor TO
nrevent such wage carriers, either col
iectively or individually, from ceaslng
work and abandoning their respective
employment nor TO require an employer
10 continue in employment or refrain
from dismissing any wage earners,
either as individuals or collectively
The chairman OF the commission is
to receive a salary Of $500 per an
mum. and each Of the other members
per diem Of 500 while actually at