New-York tribune., 1905-01-19
PENNSYLVANIA STRIKE.
MAY BE DECLARED TO-DAY
Vain Confere&ce for adjustment
Men Vote to 90 Ont If Ordered.

Philadelphia. Jan. 1S.-After a protracted con-
ference late to-day General Manager W. w
Atterbury. of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. and the board Of adjustment Of the Broth
erhood of Railway Trainmen separated without
having reached an agreement. W. q. Lee, first
vice-grand master of the Brotherhood. who rep
resents the grand lodge and is acting in conjunc-
tiOn with the board, informed Mr.. AtterbUry
that he regarded any further conferences use
less He then called meeting of the board of
adjustment for tomorrow morning. when, it is
expected final action will be taken regarding
the differences between the company and the
trainmen.
Mr.. Lee. shortly before noon to-day completed
The count of the vote of the Brotherhood on the
question of a strike to enforce the trainmen's de-
mand. and informed Mr.. Atterbury that the
total vote canvassed was S.976 and that 1855
had been cast in favor Of strike and GIL
against OF the total number 800 are mem
bers of the Brotherhood and the remainder are
non-order men. who for various reasons. such
time of service and injuries. are prevented
from being members OF the union. These men
were also permitted to vote, and only sixty-four
expressed opposition to a strike. Should
strike he declared by the board tomorrow it
will affect freight brakemen. yardmen, baggage
men and some freight conductors on the lines
east of Pittsburg and Erie.
Mr.. Lee. in stating the trainmen's side OF the
case, said:
No other railroad company in this country or
Canada has ever asked brakeman to fire a
locomotive. On all other lines fremen and
brakemen are carried in separate lists. 1t IS
the desire of the Brotherhood men that they be
kept in separate classes.
The whole trouble originated in the laying off
or forward brakeman of each crew by the
pennsylvania Railroad some months ago. Be
lore that time the Company's freight crews gen
orally consisted Of one more brakeman than the
number carried by other railroads. When that
was the case the trainmen made no objections
to the practice of the front brakeman assisting
the hremen but when the extra brakeman was
taken on the men raised serious objection to it,
The objection is very largely due to the fact
that the brakemen dress 10 withstand cold
weather. and when they are compelled TO alter
nately fire and brake they subject themselves TO
the risk OF contracting pneumonia or, at the
very least. heavy colds.
II is true that General Manager Atterbury
made certain propositions. one of which was
that brakemen doing firemeu's work stipu-
lated grades, more particularly of the middle
DIVISION, and for stipulated distances, should be
paid hremen's wages for the time they were
actually engaged in firing. AT the time of our
last interview, January 4. Mr.. Atterbury
asked me if this proposition, together with
another one that the time during which the
brakenen fired should be added to their senior
ity records for promotion to fremen. would be
submitted the the ballot which we
had then prepared.
l offered 70 submit the proposition If the COM
pany would agree 10 pay the extra expense of
printing a new ballot which would be about
$50. and also pay the expenses of the committee
representing the Brotherhood. which numbers
about eighty men. and which would amount to
about 500 This proposition Mr.. Atterbury
firmly declined 10 entertain
Mr., Atterbury's offer 10 pay the extra wage
for such times firing was done on the middle
division from Harrisburg to Altoona would net
them but a small money return-nOt over 81 90
a month in many cases From Tyrone to Hunt
Fv.rrI Fc HfeNn 1ErrrN WnrnrT TrNv-A Oh
miles. A hrenan's pay is SO 0S for twelve hours
A brakeman receives - 03 for twelve hours
work. Ordinarily the run from Tyrone to Hunt
ingdon would be made in about two hours The
difference between the pay Of a fireman and
that of a brakeman is about I-l2 cents an
hour. Consequently. brakeman compelled to
assist In firing locomotive would only receive
an extra compensation of about 1-6 cents for
his two hours work as fireman.
1t is not a question of remunera ton, but the
brakemen are unwilling 10 perform the duties of
another class except in some extraordinary
emergency. If the brakemen are compelled to
perform the duties of a fireman in times Of
peace. what are they to expect in the event of
a strike of locomotive firemen?
General Manager Atterbury at 1:3O o'clock
tonight issued the following statement in the
form of a general notice to trainmen:
Certain matters relating to the duties Of en-
ployes in the train service have been the subject
of discussion between the committee represent
ing the trainmen and myself. Careful COnSid-
Grafton has been given to every point raised.
The replacement of the brakemen who were re-
lieved during the last summer is not at issue;
that question is not the subject of controversy.
So far the reduction in the number OF brake
men is concerned, the committee without dissent
repeatedly asserted that the company had un-
disputed rights to determine the number of men
who should constitute crew.
This leaves the question of assistance TO the
fremen by the brakemen the only one now un-
settled. At a meeting with the committee
January 4 1908. 1 submitted the following
i will not require the brakemen to assist fire.
men except on such divisions as, in the judgment
OF the division superintendent il may from time
TO time seem necessary TO give the fremen some
assistance the amount of such assistance to be
decided by the division superintendent"
Between specified points and for the time
they are required to fire. the brakemen will be
paid the same rate per hour as the hremen mot
the ffremen's rate. IN addition 10 the brake
mems rate, covered by the request or the
committee nor is the amount 10 be paid 10 the
brakeman for assisting the fireman 70 he de-
Quoted from the wages of the fireman).
During the time that he might be firing. in
accordance with instructions the brakeman will
be relieved of his duties and responsibilities as
a brakeman.
In the event of his electing to become fire
man. and he is otherwise suitable. he will be
given credit as to his seniority among the fire
men for the time he has actually fired while
employed as a brakeman
/ requested the committee 20 submit this
proposition i'm the circular which was informed
was TO be issued. 1t was my desire that our en-
ployes should have all of the facts fairly pre-
sented 10 them but my request was denied I
was informed that circular had been prepared,
was in print and ready for distribution among
the trainmen.
I am convinced that many Of our employees
are not informed 10 the real question at issue,
and that the was not fully presented 10
them.
The circular to the trainmen calling for a vote
introduces the question of reducing the number
of brakemen, which was not in controversy and
ignored the proposition which l requested the
committee to submit.
w. w ATTERBURY
General Manager
Oficials OF the Pennsylvania Railroad at mid
night expressed the belief that there will be no
utrtIro rhnr. feIr the dirara-.ra t,atr,-anr,