Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-31
KNAPP and NELL READY
Federal officials ct Chicago 10 Assist in
settlement Of Trouble,
MEN WILL NOT ABA1E THEIR DEMANDS
So Declare NiOrrtssey and GarrettsOn
Before They Begin Conference
Railroads WIN stand Firm
knapp f. Hopeful.

CHICAGO, March sO.-Chairman Knapp
Of the Interstate Commerce commission and
Charles p. Neill. United states labor COM
missioner. arrived here today from Wash
ineton to proffer their good offices In set
Ting the wage dispute between the western
railroads and members Of the Brotherhood
Of Railway Trainmen and OF the Order Of
Railway Conductors.
The meeting, which opened late in the
morning, did not begin under highly ia
vorable auspices. The representatives Of
the men, Grand Chief Morrissey Of the
trainmen and Chief Conductor Garrettson
Of the conductors were positive in their
assertions before the conference commenced
that the men would not abate anything
of their demands. They declared that It
was not in their power to accept less than
the men had asked for the reason that
the membership of both organizations had
voted on the propositions to be considered
in the meeting and the vote was over
whelmingly in favor of a strike unless the
demands Of the men were granted.
Railroads Firm.
c. p. Brown, chairman of the board of
managers of the railroads, was equally ex-
plicit in his assertions that the railroads
could not go further than they have al
ready gone, and that It was not possible
for them to make greater concessions than
had already been offered, Before entering
the meeting Chairman Knapp said:
II cannot say just now what viii be
done My understanding is that both sides
are anxious to avoid a strike and such a
disposition is a promise that everything
will come out happily. OF course l can
tell more about the situation when we have
once heard the statements from both Sides
Ill
while acting with strict justice for all
concerned, to bring about a peaceable adj
justment of the difficulty"
Chairman Knapp and Commissioner NELL
were FIRST in conference with the members
of the board of general managers who
outlined their case and explained the situa-
ton as it appeared from their viewpoint.
They were with the chairman less than an
hour and the representatives Of the train
men and of the conductors were then called
in.
Positions Outlined.
Following the conference with the general
managers, Chairman Knapp and Commits
sioner Neill listened to the statements
made in behalf of the trainmen and con-
ductors. At the close of the latter meet
ing Chairman Knapp said:
There is absolutely nothing that can
say at this time. Both sides have outlined
their position and that is about all that
could be expected at the first meeting. We
are to meet the trainmen and conductors
later today"
when asked If he came to Chicago at
the request Of President Roosevelt, Chair
man Knapp said he had not, declaring that
he had neither seen nor communicated with
the president in regard to the matter. The
trip he said was imposed on him by the
duties of his ONCE and he came on that
account
Neither the general managers nor the
representatives Of the two organization Of
employees would make a statement at the
conclusion of the meeting with Mr.. Knapp
and Commissioner Nelll 1t Is positively
known, however, that in today's conference
no concessions were made on either side.