St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-27
A Flat Refusal by the A. R. U.
to Arbitrate.
HILL MAKES 0RE MORE EFFORT,
And Invites a Further Con-
ference Today.
SECRET MEETING LAST NIGHT,
40 Answer Sent to Hills Re-
quest for Conference.
RAILROAD SENDS OUT FREIGHT.
Will Start Coast Train From
ST. GaIl This Morning.
BR0THERR00DS WILL STAND BY.

RR0THERF00DS WILL STAND BY.
The volume of correspondence that
has been passing back and forth be-
tween President Hill. Of the Great
Northern. and President Debs and Vice
President Howard, of the American
Railway union, was still further added
to yesterday. After the expected con.
ference failed to materialIZe, and the
crowd of news gatherers were compelled
to depart without their full cargo of in
formation. President Hill, at $3.50. re
ceived the following communication
from the head officials of the a. r. o.:
ST. PAUL. Mimi. April &c. 1894.
James }. Hill, president Great North
ern railway, ST. Paul, Minn.-Dear Sir:
We are authorized by the committee
representing tie employees of the Great
Nor hern railway in the pending con-
troversv to advise you of the action OF
said committee, supported by unan-
imouS vote. as follows:
Whereas, The proposition submitted
by j. j. Hill, president OF the Great
Northern Railway company, under date
of April 25, for the consideration of the
committee representing the employees
in the controversy now pending be-
tween them and the management, is
manifestly unfair i'll that it aims to
divide and diSurganiZe said employees,
and
Whereas, The grievance which the
employees have presented affects alike
all classes, and is therefore general III
its character, and demands for its cor
rection concerted and harmonious ac-
tiou; and
Whereas, The committee in charge
are the authorized representatives of a
majority OF the employees III each and
every department, ana of at least ninety
(9O) per cent of all the employees in the
service of the company: and
Whereas, The wages OF the employees
IN many departments have suffered
sweeping reductions. and the asSump-
ton is reasonable that in due course of
time similar reductions Will be made III
all other departments; and
Whereas, The employees have in the
past rendered faithful and efficient
service to the company, and stand ready
to guarantee that similar service shall
be rendered in the future, provided that
their wages shall he maintained at
fair and reasonable standard; and
Whereas. The standard of wages in
effect prior to Aug. l, IS. g is regarded
as reasonable. equitable and just, and
that any concession i'll the line OF re-
ductiUn would deprive the employees not
only of what righlfulIy belongs to them
as the fruit or their toll, but would in
yolye the sacrifice OF their manlineSs,
their independence ana Seif-respect;
therefore, he 1t
Resolved, That the proposition SUBJ
mitted by President James j. Hill, above
referred to, be, and the same is hereby
declined, and that we agree to settle the
pending difficulties and declare the
strike off upon the acceptance by the
company of the terms filed with PreSi-
dent Hill on the 25th inst, the full
text of which has appeared in tue cur
rent issues Of the daily papers.
We are further directed to say that
this action of the committee Is final,
and they respectfully request that you
advise them by o'clock this afternoon
if you will accept the terms proposed
by them for the adjustment of existing
difficulties.
The men are impressed with the ab-
solute justice OF their position, and
trust that you may find il consistent
and i'll conSonance with the spirit of
fair play to accept their proposition and
end the trouble. Very truly yours,
EUGENE Y. DEBs, President.
- GEORGE W. HOWARD,
Vice President.
1t was after the receipt of this letter
that Mr.. Hill caused the bulletin to he
issued which appears elsewhere. Action
Was then deferred, ana later in the
evening President Hill replied 10 the
committee as follows:
ST. PAUL, Mimi, April 26, 1894.
" TNnE, TX
Howard, St. Paul, Minn.-Gentlemen
Your communication of this date re-
ceiYed at $50 this afternoon, in which
you decline the written offer made by
ine OH behalf of this company to submit
any difference as to rates OF pay that
cannot be promptly adjusted between
the company aud the men in its employ
to full and final settlement by arbitra-
ton. Your conclusion that the prOpo-
Sition is unfair, and that it aims to
divide and diSorganiZe the employees, Is
neither the intention of the company
nor the effect of the offer as made. YOU
do not say in your letter whether the
objection is TO arbitration as method
of settlement. or whether there Is OBJ
lection made TO the plan proposed fol
organizing the board of arbitration. The
offer was made by this company with {
view to place within tns reach of all oi
It's SllpiOleS d SlldplC anu cHCCitsS
method of adjusting any question as t
rates of pay that may exist in its ser
vice, and TO place the responsibility o
any failure to so adjust where it be
longs.
Bearing in mind the great advantage.
TO all concerned that will follow JUS
and peaceful settlement of any matte
of difference that may exist, L desire
again to ask you to consider the ques
ton of arbitration. and before maxim,
up your minds to decline it that yol
compare the present rates of pay witt
those III effect last year; and to the en
that you may have the correct figures a
TO present rates, | suggest that yo
bring your subcommittee to our otfic
tomorrow at ! / d. N. for the purpose O
comparing these rates. In the mean
time, as l am not standing OH an
matter of form, would be glad to hea
from you as to whether you decline
recommend arbitration on the ground
aboy stated, or whether you have
better plan for forming competer