The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-31
NEWS.
Engineers and General Manag-
ers Confer at Chicago.
Men Demand S-Hour Day and
Increased Pay.
ESTIMATED 100000
Shorter Day VIII Compel Faster
Schedules and Shorter Trains.
Employees Claim Trains Are Too
Long Now.

conferences which are hoped to bring
about settlement of the controversy
between the Brotherhood ofLocomotive
Engineers and the various railroads
have been begun al Chicago.
Grand Chief Stone of the engineers
and several subordinates are inChicago
and the General Managers association
OF the roads involved have met and
appointed a committee to carry on the
negotiations.
While the eight hour work day is the
greatest stumbling block in the way of
an immediate settlement. there are
other demands which have been pre-
scented by the men which will meet
with violent opposition
Will Stick for Every Demand.
While neither Grand Chief Stone nor
any of his assistants will admit that
unless the demands are met q strike
will be called, it is known that Mr..
Stone is prepared to stick for every de-
mand presented to the last ditch
Mr.. Stone said that the original de-
mands of the men, which include raise
in wages and an eight hour day, will be
the only ones submitted and that no
notifications of these have been con-
sidered.
Composition of Managers Committee.
The committee appointed to meet the
men is composed of the following general
managers of roads entering Chicago:
I. G. Rawn, R. H. Ashton, F. O.
Melcher, J. E. Hurley j. NJ. Gruber, A
w. Sullivan, F. E. Ward, A, L. Mohler,
w. G. Nixon and D. L. Bush.
They will meet with Mr.. Stone and
the following assistant grand chiefs:
E. w. Burley, F. A. Burgess and n. w.
Cadle.
While the roads are violently opposed
to granting an eight hour work day,
contending that If granted it would
cause them to operate trains on
much faster schedule than at present
and would also compel them to run
smaller and lighter trains, the men de-
clare that at present many freight
trains are too long, and that inasmuch
as only engineers on heavy tonnage
trains will be affected, their demands
are just.
Views of Grand Chief Stone.
In speaking of this phase of the de-
mands Mr.. Stone said:
saThere is no question but that some
thing will have to be done to relieve
the men on the heavy trains They
are sometimes compelled to work from
twenty to thirty hours at stretch,
which wears them out and renders rail-
reading extremely hazardous
7There are twenty-threes roads in the
GeheraI Managers association. AND
their Joint pay roll to aremen, engi7
neers, conductors and brakemen
amounts to $S1, 431, 526 annually. The
men demand a cent an nouf AiiSA
which, f granted, will amount TO
little more than $40. 00O.o 600 a year
Vast Freight Traffic Increase.
In support of their contentious the
men point out that freight traffic dur
ing the last six years has increased
n76re man IS per cent. and that with
heavier engines, longer runs, and
heavier trains they are entitled to
some additional compensation.
The points which will be conferred
upon by the committees include an IN
crease of from to 10 cents for GER
tain of the men, a cent increase for
others ana the establishment of an
eight hour day.