Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-25
What the Burlington Road Says I'm Re.
fusinG the De I'm ndS a the Men.

hushmg the Demand OF the Men.
CHICAGO, Feb. 25.-On the Burlington road this
morning everything is running as usual, and 1t is
now stated that the threatened strike Of
the engineers and nremen, If It occurs at
all, VIII not take place for several days
yet. Delegates who have been here pre-.
se sen me d mems demands to the ofiieers OF
having accomplished their mission. but before
strike can occur their report Will have TO be
OF the delegates is from Colorado and VIII not
reach Denver before tonight The officers OF the
burlington road have drawn up an elaborate reply
10 the mems demands, embodying their reasons
for refusal, the changes asked for by the commit
tee, and the schedule OF wages paid by the Chi
cage, burlington and Quincy. This reply says
were:
'Pay to be governed solely by miles run, without
regard to other conditions or circumstances; an
average increase OF pay; the abolition OF classical
ton based upon length OF service age, or expert
ence; no NOR examinations Of tests, except such
as are agreed upon by the general manager and
the general grievance committee
THE ANSWER OF THE ROAD.
To these the road says: 81 That the present
system Is In force upon many important roads In
this country, and Is preferred because IL Is the
best one 10 fairly provide for differences IN the
amount Of labor, time and responsibility required
by engtnemen upon different runs. The trip basis,
In view OF all the varying condit lions covers value
received An arbitrary mileage basis disregards the
value OF the service rendered, and in the long run
we fear would be unsatisfactory TO the men and
to the company. For example: On the Galesburg
division OF the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy an
engineer with light passenger run OF Two cars
between Buda and Vermont under the present
schedule earns in twenty-siX days s123J0 and the
fireman s14.10; under the schedule you propose
the engineer would receive sl75.Os and the hre-
man $l262. A number OF examples like the above
are next given IN the companys answer, which
then continues:
sse2 Owing to the existing state and interstate
laws, poor crops and extremely low rates as well
as great multiplication Oh new lines, Western
roads are passing through critical period. 1t is
N. f,,fr
cover the cost OF transportation. Railroad con-
structiOn has almost entirely ceased. The rail
mills and other factories lind their business
decreasing; the demand for labor Is decreasing
and wages are likely 10 decrease AT a time when
wages are tending downward, engine men cannot
expect more pay, unless they are under-paid now
g. Al present We have one rate OF pay for engi-
neers Just promoted from tiremen, which continues
one year. In the second year or service engi.
neer an advance In pay is given. on the eXplra-
ton OF the second year further advance TO null
engineers pay is given. The schedule proposed
by the committee does away with this classified
ton and insists upon full pay for every man
as soon as he runs an engine. To properly con-
duct It's business the company must DC the Judge
its engineers, and any claim by Its employees
TO decide where divisional terminals shall be can
not be allowed. The company must reserve abso-
lutely the right to ascertain by Whdteye. exam
nations 1t may deem advisable whether It's ell
piOyeS, OF all classes are capable OF fulfilling the
duties they undertake. and the public also demand
tion to employ only those men who can safely per-
form the work entrusted TO them.
'.In conclusion, we would say that while we cam
not see our way 10 accepting your commit e'S
proposals, we expect TO pay much as our neig L.
bors FOR similar services, and We are ready at .,.y
time 10 take up the question OF wages and adjusU
any inequalities in our schedule that may be
shown 10 exist. We cannot, however, attempt TO
adopt basis which says That one l0O-inlie run
should De paid the same as another l0O-nile run,
regardless OF the effort and ability required and
the dificultIeS To be overcome on EACH
This report is signed by Herbert b. stone. gen.
eral manager OF the Burlington; G. L. Holdr.uge
general manager OF the Burlington and Missouri
River road; W. +. Merrill, general manager OF the
Hannibal and st. Joe, and Ii. ID. JudoOn, general
superintendent OF the Chicago ana Iowa Railway.
THE STRIKE TO BEGIN on MONDAY
Chief Arthur Was asked this morning about the
proposed strike. He said that he nad given his
consent TO general strike, but that the men
would not leave their posts to-day. He added that
unless the differences between the men and the
officials were adjusted before Monday morning the
locomotive engineers and nreInen would leave their