F333 NATIONAL ARBITRATION BILL. HEARINGS BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 16, 30, APRIL 6, 13, 1904. 107 WASHINGTON, D. C., March 16, 1904. The subcommitte met at 10.30 o'clock a. m. Present: Representatives Vreeland (chairman), Foster, Connor, and Hughes. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Whitney, we will be glad to hear you now. STATEMENT OF FRED. B. WHITNEY, CLERK OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS. Mr. WHITNEY. Mr. Chairman, I wish to appear before you in favor of the bill H. R. 9491, a bill to create a national arbitration tribunal and to define the duties and powers thereof. BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF BILL. I will give you a bird's-eye view of the bill. The bill creates a national arbitration tribunal of six members, appointed by the President, to be free from direct or indirect pecuniary interest in matters arbitrated, to sit at Washington or elsewhere, as expedient, and arbitrate controversies concerning wages, hours of labor, or conditions of employment involving any commerce with foreign nations among States or Territories of United States when either party to the controversy files a petition of claims and demands, requesting investigation and agreeing to abide by decisions on merits. The tribunal transmits petition to other party requesting an answer thereto, and if refused, petition of claims is made public. If answered, the tribunal determines controversy on merits by definite affirmative or negative decision. If parties accept decision, the record is not made public unless both parties consent. If either party neglects or refuses to abide by agreements, all proceeding are made public. TRIBUNAL MAY REQUEST BUT NOT COMPEL ARBITRATION. The tribunal may request but not compel parties to controversy to arbitrate. During arbitration both parties assume former relations. Public opinion is the only source of jurisdiction and enforcement of an arbitration of controversy on merits under this bill. I would like to ask here that the entire bill may be incorporated in the report of this hearing, so that my remarks may be clearly understood. The CHAIRMAN. That will be done. 3 |