New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-26
NO STRIKE ON THE CENTRAL.
CONFERENCES SAID TO BE ONLY AN
ANNUAL DISCUSSION OF VEX-
ING QUESTIONS

P NJ Arthur, Grand Chief Of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers; Chief F. P Sargent OF
the Firemen's brotherhood. S Watson, chairman
of the General Committee of the brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers and George Healy, chair
man of the Brotherhood of Firemen. together with
thirty-two other engineers and iremen, held a
number of conferences with Superintendent Edgar
Van Etten of the New-York Central at the Grand
Central Station yesterday with reference to &C
cumulated grievances of minor character that
the engineers and firemen want adjusted.
According to the best information obtainable
last night from Superintendent Van Etten and
Chief Arthur there is no danger of a strike. the
conference being more in the nature of annual
discussion to settle a number of vexing questions
about which there differences.
The engineers and fremen have been at the
Grand Union Hotel for two or three days, and yes
terday held two conferences with Superintendent
Van Etten Their presence in the city gave rise
to number of rumors the most important of
which was that there might be a strike if the
engineers and iremen did not get what they
wanted.
When spoken to yesterday concerning the re-
ported trouble Superintendent Van Etten said:
I cannot imagine why so much talk should be
made over the matter which has special sig
ind an interest There is absolutely nothing in the
report that demand for an increase in wages has
been made 10 me. Neither is there any truth in
the statement that a demand has been made for
Dxs 10 So know as we'll as do o what
would happen If any any dozen of employees
No demand has been made concerning the equalz-
ing of wages of passenger and freight engineers
and fremen, and no such demand is anticipated
by me.
AS to the payment of two cents a mile for switch
ing work by firemen, 1t would be impossible. How
earth could the mum Der Of miles be regulated in
operating the big six wheel engines for which the
men reported receiving the same rate of wages
as on ordinary engines. receive more wages be
cause work is attached to them.
The whole thing in a nutshell is that this is sim
ply a yearly occurrence The men have a Grtev-
anCe Committee, which confers with the company
and lays before 1t any trouble which they imagine
they have AS II stands to-day there are differ
enceS between the company and Its employees OF
serious nature and there is absolutely no danger
of a strike. even the semblance Of such thing.
l not in position at the moment TO specify
any of the grievances which have been laid before
to discuss them.
It is also said that the men demand an increase
of wages Of the engineers and fremen on the
Beach Creek division. which operates in the coal
fields of Pennsylvania.
On behalf of the company Superintendent Van
Etten said that at the time the New-York Central
acquired the Beach Creek road wages on that d-
vision a few cents a day lower than on
other divisions, and that since then repeated eff
forts have been made by the employees TO have
the rate increased. He declared that this demand
had been made by the within the last week.
The company feels disposed, said Superintend-
ent Van Etten, Ito advance wages this division
in conformity with wages paid other divis-
ions, but what is the in raising them to-day
when we can just well do so Tomorrow"
Chief Arthur, when seen by a Tribune reporter
said:
There Is no serious trouble of any sort and what
little there is will doubtless be amcably adjusted
Any statement with reference to the matter will
have to come from the superintendent. The differ
ences under discussion are not of sufficient mag
nltude TO interest the public