Of the hundreds of disputes which occurred during
the first eight years of the existence of this statute, only one
was brought under the mechanism of the law. Federal arbitration
was not popular. In 1905, however, a rather sudden change came
over the situation. Over sixty cases were brought under the
Erdman Act in about eight years. In 1913 the Newlands Law was
passed providing for a permanent Board of Mediation and
Conciliation, by which over sixty controversies have been
adjusted.
The increase of brotherhood influence which such legislation
represents was accompanied by a consolidation in power. At first
the Brotherhoods operated by railway systems or as individual
orders. Later on they united into districts, all the Brotherhoods
of a given district cooperating in their demands. Finally the
cooperation of all the Brotherhoods in the United States on all
the railway systems was effected. This larger organization came
clearly to light in 1912, when the Brotherhoods submitted their
disputes to the board of arbitration. This step was hailed by the
public as going a long way towards the settlement of labor
disputes by arbitral boards.
The latest victory of the Brotherhoods, however, has shaken
public confidence and has ushered in a new era of brotherhood
influence and Federal interference in railroad matters. In 1916,
the four Brotherhoods threatened to strike. The mode of reckoning
pay--whether upon an eight-hour or a longer day--was the subject
of contention.
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