The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1919-10-10
Under Provisions Of Measure If
Two Should Quit They Could
Be Jailed AS Conspirators
Bill Said To Be The Most Drastic
Measure Ever Proposed
Against Labor

Here are some of the most drastic
provisions:
The bill provides that the govern
ment shall arbitrarily make the wages
and fix the hours and working condi-
tions for the employees of private
companies. This is the method pro-
posed:
A board of five members, to be
known as the Railway Transportation
Board, shall be appointed by the presi-
dent. This board has the final say
in all matters concerning wages,
hours and working conditions. The
eight-hour day can be changed at will
by this board. A committee on wages
and working conditions is provided for
to be composed of an equal number
of representative of employees and of
ficials. This committee (Which is
camouflaged for the real purpose) will
hear all requests for changes, in wages
and conditions. Whatever the mem
bers agree to is passed on by the
board. 1t can veto or approve any
recommendation of the committee. The
boards decision is final. There is no
appeal from its action. No provision
is made for mediation, conciliation or
voluntary arbitration.
After the decision is made the en-
ployes are "handcuffed," as President
Gompers charges. If two or more of
them object to the decision and agree
to quit work each can be fned $500 or
imprisoned, or both, for conspiracy.
The Adamson law provided that
railroad employees should have basic
eight-hour day. It is still the law
The Railroad Transportation Board
which will be the supreme court in
all matters regarding wages and
hours, can make any change at any
time. There is no appeal. 1t is to be
presumed that all members of the
board will be anti-labor. Even if one
represents labor he will be in such
minority he can make no successful
protest.
The bill also provides for a "com-
pany union" A certain portion of the
earnings are set aside in a fund to be
known as the "employes' welfare
fund.- President Gompers testified
that welfare work" adopted by non
union employers was "Hellfare work. :"
He also charged that it's intention was
to encourage or induce employees to
not join the brotherhood unions.
1t was limited several times in the
hearings that the motive behind such
a drastic measure was to force the Ia
Dor people to agree finally to COM
promise establishing compulsory ar
bitration. Senator Cummins, author
of the bill and chairman of the inter
state commerce committee, appeared
determined to force the bill through,
however. During President Gompers'
entire time on the stand the Senator
did not ask a question. He defended
the bill, when President Gompers
charged that no penalty was provided
for officials going on strike.
The most dangerous part of the bill
is the provision that the wages, hours
and working conditions shall be de-
termined by the board of five mem
bers. The decision of the board must
be obeyed. There is no middle ground.
1t is the court of last resort.
"The bill if enacted into law will
not stop strikes" said President Com
pers to the committee. 1T will BE-
the cause of strikes" He then ex-
planned how New Zealand, the "coun-
try without strikes" has found its
arbitration law, which forbids strikes,
not possible of enforcement.
Labor must be given the right to
work out its own destiny" he said.
"The country is anxious that the
danger of a general strike on railroads
be removed" said Senator Underwood
"What should be done to make it im-
possible for such strikes ?"
Nothing" replied President Com
pers.
pa Ra Ha
Benjamin Franklin said: Learning
is to the studious and riches to the
careful" Wise buying and intelli-
gent saving will leave you money tc
invest in Thrift Stamps and w. S. s