The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-30
RAILROAD NEWS.
Possibility of Averting the I'M
pending Strike.
There Will Be No Action Until
Chairmen Report.
BOTH SIDES WILLING.
Both However Wait for Other
to Make Concessions.
Other Items Of Interest to
Railway People.

Chicago, March 30.-Whether or
not there is to be a strike of the en-
ployes in the train service of the west
ern railways depends on a meeting to
be held here tomorrow morning be-
tween two of the government officials
and the representatives of the union
and the railroads. The meeting was
brought about by the general man
ayers of the railroads, who appealed
to Washington for a settlement of the
difficulty under the terms provided in
the Erdmann act.
The government will be represented
by Martin A. Knapp, chairman of the
Interstate Commerce commission, and
Chas. P. Neill, commissioner of labor,
while c. r. Brown, chairman Of the
board of managers, will be the spokes-
man for the railroads, and Grand Chief
P. H. Morrissey of the railway train
mems union and Chief Conductor A
3. Garretson of the conductors or
ganization will look after the inter-
ests Of the men. Before leaving Wash
ington today for Chicago on their mis-
sion to bring about an adjustment of
the trouble by Cancellation, Messrs.
Knapp and NeflI had the assurance
of both opposing interests that every
thing possible would be done to pre-
vent a strike.
The same stumbling block that pre-
vented the railroads and the men from
reaching a peaceable settlement still
remains, however. The railroads to-
night declare they have conceded ev-
erything they possibly can, and the
union representatives are just as en-
phatic in their declarations that further
concessions will have to be made by
them or tomorrow's meeting will be
a failure so far as preventing a. strike
is concerned.
Both sides held separate meetings
today, but nothing new developed as
1t was the general sentiment among
the representatives of the men as well
as the railroads that nothing should be
Done until the government representa-
yves mad an opportunity to try and
settle the trouble by mediation
The Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen and the railroads are still
trying to settle their differences.
The attitude Of the members of the
Order Of Railway Conductors and of
the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
was today more favorable toward pos
sible arbitration of the differences be-
tween them and the railroads than
yesterday.
1t was reported toady that Chair
man Knapp of the interstate com
merce commission and Charles P.
Nefll Of the United States labor com
mission would leave Washington for
Chicago some time during the dav and
the labor leaders declared they were
willing to await their arrival before
taking any action. AT the same time
Grand Master Morrfssey of the train
men declared that the attitude of the
have made upon the railroads had not
changed.
The men are all disposed to hold to
their demands and it was declared to-
dav that they would not abate them
1t is possible that another meeting be-
tween representatives of the men and
the general managers will be held
after Mr.. Knapp and Mr.. NeilI have
reached the city.
Grand Master Morrissey said today
that such a meeting would be held If
there were anything new to discuss,
but that the men had reached the final
stage so far as the last proposals Of
the railroads were concerned. These
have been finally rejected by the men,
he said, and they will not again be
considered unless new proposals go
with them.
1--WE will do nothing hastily said
Mr.. Morrissey, land we are fully con-
sidering the rights Of the public, but
the attitude of the railroads is not sat
isfactory and we can not accept the |
situation as it is. The members of our
organizations have voted for a strike |
unless their demands are satisfied and |
there the thing rests at present.
Both the trainmen's and the con-
ductors', as well as the general man
ayers committee, held meetings today, |
but nothing tangible came out of
either gathering On both sides there
was a disposition to await the arrival
Of Mr. Knapp and Mr.. Neill.