The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-18
DISCUSS STRIKE
ON RAILROADS
C. BURGESS TAYLOR AND WAL
TER B. HILTON SPEAK ON
SUBJECT AT OPEN
FORUM
Questions Submitted BY United States
Chamber Of Commerce Voted On
BY Big Gathering

The discussion-not a debate-held
yesterday at noon at the Open Forum
iluncheon-meeting Of the Wheeling
Commercial association in the Hotel
Windsor by c. burgess Taylor and
Walter B. Hilton on the question of
railroad Strikes. was the most largely
attended meeting of the forum ever
held. More than hundred sat down
to the luncheon, while scores Of addi'
tional business and professional men
and manufacturers attended the dis
cussion.
The question discussed by Messrs.
Taylor and Hilton was submitted to
the Commercial association? by the
Chamber Of Commerce Of The United
States TO get an expression from all
the members of the various CONNER
cial bodies throughout the country.
The questions were voted upon at me
luncheon yesterday, following the de-
Icision.
The first question was approved,
the second, was not approved, while
the third carried.
The questions follow:
| l-"Shall existing law he so amended
ior supplemented as 10 require full pub
lie investigation of the merits Of every
dispute between railroad carriers OF IN
terState commerce and their employees. TO
. steps tending to the interruption or
transportation shall be attempted?"
I 2--"Shall existing law be so amended
or supplemented as to provide that upon
any board of investigation or arbitration
Of disputes between railroad carriers OF
interstate commerce and their employees.
the employers and employees shal! have
equal representation and the public, as
having paramount interest shall have
majority representations
3-"Should Congress establish a per-
manent statistical division under the In
terState Commerce Commission to study
and compile statistics relating 10 wages
and conditions of service upon railways.
the records and services of this division
to he Immediately available TO boards of
investigation or arbitration considering
disputes between railways and their en-
ployes:"
Points At Issue
Mr.. Taylor contended that. the law
is merely a compulsory investigation
and not compulsory arbitration: that
it gives the general public what it
should have, the right to know The
facts in disputed cases before they are
Inconvenience by a strike. Every
strike won by Strikers said Mr.: Tay'
lor, has been won by reason Of pub.
lie opinion. The principles involved
in the Adamson law have been proved
successful in Colorado and Canada,
me proposed INV UIlllSS lIle OPpoSt10
sides together TO settle disputes with
out incident to bringing about strife
There is nothing binding as TO the &C
ceptance of the report of the arbitTa'
ition committee"
Mr.. Hilton declared that the at:
tempt to prevent strikes of railroad
employees by the proposed bill IS call
ed involuntary servitude by wage
earners. Compulsory institutions TO
prevent strikes has, been tried In 9th;
Her countries. including New Zealand
and have been found failure. The
wage earners of the United States are
opposed to the bill in question. The
law enacted In Colorado has proved
unsuccessful, and tradL unions last
wear declared against it. Those pei
sonally affected by lhe law in Cana
da have denounced i during the past
wear, said MIR. HiltoI.
! The meeting WIS presided over Dy
II. B. Brennan The vote Of the for
um on the proposed congress enact
ments will be reported at the, member
! ship meeting Of the Wheeling Com
mercial ASSOCIATION when referen-
!dum will be taken and the returns IN
! turn reported to the United States
Chamber of Commerce with the other
| commercial organizations through
out the country.