The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-28
ASK GOVERNMENT
TO STOP STRIKE
Western Road Managers De-
ms. Arbitration
45xO TRAINMEN INVOLVED
Strike May Be Called Within Forty
eight Hours-Conductor and Train
men Instruct Union Leaders
to Stand Pat.

Chicago. March 27-The United States
government will be asked to intervene
to prevent a strike of the conductors
and tranmen on the western railroads,
and if the plans of the general managers
do not miscarry the whole controversy
will De submitted to arbitration for set
tlement Late tonight the general mana
gers gave out statement in Which they
declare that they will demand arbitration
under the Erdmann act. AS strike
of the men would interfere with inter-
state commerce, the railroad officials be-
lice that they can prevent strike by
asking the government to step in and
take command of the situation. The Erd-
mann act passed in 1898 provides for the
arbitration of labor difficulties where in
terstate commerce is involved, by the
chairman of the interstate commerce COM
| mission and the commissioner of labor.
The general managers statement given
out late tonight follows:
Late this evening the committee of
| mana gers received an official notification
of the vote of the conductors and train
men. rejecting the last proposition of an
| increase amounting to 1912 per cent in
wages. and also authorizing strike in
case a settlement of the matter at is
sue could not be effected.
THE committee accepting this as a
conclusion of the negotiations has notified
Messrs. Garretson and Morrissey leaders
of the two labor organizations involved,
that they will demand arbitration under
the Erdmann act
May Strike in Forty-elght Hours.
Chicago, March 27.-The 5000 men of
the western railroads seem nearer n
strike than they were at any time since
the negotiations were begun two months
| ago with the general managers for an
| increase in wages, and IA shorter work
day. The conference today between the
Representatives of the men and the rail
road officials lasted four hours, but was
a failure, so far as bringing about a
solution of the trouble was concerned. The
railroads offered increases of I per cent
| to passenger conductors, and 10 per cent
to the minor employees The latter in
cluue brakemen, fremen, baggagemasters
and allied workers. The men had de-
| manded an increase of 12 per cent and
a nine-hour work day and when the rail-
road officials declared their offer was the
best that co Id be made, the conference
cams to an end, as the men by a refer
endum vote taken last week, had decided
not to accept anything but what their
demands called for.
Immediately after the joint conference
broke up, the representatives, of the men
got together to consider the advlsability
of calling a strike, in order to bring
the railroads TO terms. Just what de-
cision was reached is not known tonight
as the union men decline to discuss what
has taken place at the meeting They
were unit, however, In declaring a
peaceable settlement of the controversy
can only be reached by the general man
ayers Offering con ,cssions.
Another meeting of the union men has
been scheduled for tomorrow morning,
and the general belief tonight is that
a strike will be called within the next
forty-eight hours, unless the railioad Of
hcers request another conference, and
settle the matter without resorting to
fight.
p. II. Morrissey, chief of the train
men $ organization, said tonight
we have been instructed by the men
we represent to call a strike unless the
offer of the roads was satisfactory to
US. The vote by which this attitude
was reached carried the strike fropos-
ton by a tremendous majority We are
not satisfied and the men are not salts
fed. We are going to ask for no more
con ferences with the managers. 1t is
up to these gentlemen now to prevent the
men quitting work, and the only way
they can do this Is to accede to our de-
mands'
/ A. p Garretson, chief of the conduc-
tors, also declared that no further con-
ferences would be held with the general
managers.
The railroad officials are not quite so
pessimistc over the situation 3s the rep
resentatives Of the men. After the fail
ure of the opposing interests to reach
a settlement, and when the men were
declaring that a strike was inevitable.
Secretary Slason Thompson of the Cen
eral Managers association, said
I'VE have not given up hope as yet of
a peaceabe adjustment of the difficulty.
| We have conceded a great deal to the
men already. and it would seem to be
but a matter of short time until the
union officials will see their way clear
to accepting the general managers prop
oSition. ] am of the opinion that the
conference which ended in nothing to-
day. will be resumed again within the
next two days. and that some sk-t of
an agreement will be reached
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