New-York tribune., 1905-01-20
CONFERENCE TO-DAY.
Grand Master Morrissey to Meet
General Manager Atterbury.

Philadelphia, Jan. 1a.-Though both sides are
firm and not disposed 10 yield anything. de-
velopments to-day IN the controversy between
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the
brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen indicated
that an smicabie settlement ef-the dispute may
be effected shortly without resort to extreme
measures. The chance of a break was tenn
porarily averted by the decision Of Vice-Grand
Master Lee and his associates TO send for Grand
Master p. S. Morrissey for a consultation. Up
the Iatter's attitude and the result Of a con-
ference which Mr.. Morrissey and the Brother
hood committee will have with Mr.. Atterbury
tomorrow, the question of strike is depend
ent All Of the eighty-five local unions in the
Brotherhood east of Pittsburg and Erie have
been supplied with cipher codes. so that in case
q strike is decided upon the order to suspend
work can be carried into effect at once.
The decision TO send for Mr.. Morrissey was
made last night, after the trainmens committee
had left Mr.. Atterbury without coming to an
agreement Mr.. Lee telephoned the grand mas
ter at Cleveland that he was needed here and
after Mr.. Morrissey had decided TO start for the
city Mr.. Lee arranged for a conference with
Mr.. Atterbury this afternoon. The failure of
the grand master to arrive in the course of the
day, howeevr. led to postponement Of the con-
ference until tomorrow morning.
In discussing the situation tonight Mr.. Lee
said:
We stand where we stood after our conference
with Mr.. Atterbury on Wednesday. Nothing
has developed to minimize the prospect of a
strike White we have absolute authority to
settle the question or order out the men, it was
deemed best TO put Grand Master Morrissey in
touch with the situation before any action was
taxed He is the highest officer in the brother
hood. and II was considered wise TO let him see
just how matters stood.
Mr.. Atterbury said tonight that so far as the
company is concerned there was no change in
The situation.
In an interview to-day Mr.. Lee refutes Mr..
Atterburys statement that the only point at
issue was the question Of compulsory firing.
Mr.. Atterbury has misstated the case in de-
claring that the question OF the reduction OF
brakemen is not issue in the controversy"
ne said. He is wrong when he unqualhedly
says that so far the reduction in the num-
Der OF workmen is concerned, the committee
without dissent repeatedly asserted that the
company had undisputed right 10 determine the
number Of men that should constitute a crew.
winch LETT the question Of assistance TO the fire
men by the brakemen the only un-
1t is true that we waived the question of re-
duetion OF forces, but we only did so pending
me settlement Of the other point-compulsory
nrlng But the failure 10 adjust this latter
qoeslon naturally leaves both points unsettled
ana both OF these points must be taken care Of
or there VIII be no settlement"
Tonight that the company has evidence that
Eice-Grand Master Lee unreservedly waived
the question OF the reduction Of the number of
brakemen. which, IT is held, narrows the dis
pute 10 the question Of compulsory firing This
evidence is said 10 be a statement by Mr. Lee
that IL is the companys right TO operate their
trains with whatever number Of men they see
ht; that the Brotherhood does not care apy-
thing about that point, and does not presume
10 dictate how many men shall constitute a
crew.
gice-Grand Master Lee also takes exception 10
the statement made by Mr.. Atterbury that the
propositions he made 10 the trainmen's COM
mittee on January not submitted to The
men when they voted for the strike. Mr. Lee
said that the propositions were verbally con
Neyed 10 every man who voted, and that every
voter thoroughly understood Mr.. Atterbury's
proposition when he cast his ballot
We did not have the propositions embodied
IN the printed ballot which already had been
issued when Mr.. Atterbury's concessions were
onereo," he said. He would not pay the ex-
pense involved in changing the circular and We
did not go TO the expense because the proposi-
lions promised very little 10 the men, and We
knew they would not influence the voting"