The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-29
The tabulated statistics of tho regis
IS UP TO OFFICIALS
THE TRAINMEN TROUBLES CANNOT
 RE ARBTrRAED.
This is U1timatum Issued by Repre- sentatiVes of the Two Unions Involved in Difficulty With
 Western Roads.

Chicago, March 2S --The controver- sy over a wage scale between the general managers of the Western rail- roads and their employees in the train service cannot be arbitrated and the only way in which a strike can be ayerted is for the officials of the roads to make terms with the men
 This Is the ultimatum issued by the representatives of the two unions involved in the difficulty after meet ing to be held tonight to consider the action of the railroads in asking the federal government to intervene and endeavor to bring about a settlement by mediation along the lines provided by the Erdmann aot. The movement by the general managers to have the matter adjusted by arbitration was considered at considerable length by the union representatives but the proposition was finally rejected and a resolution passed refusing to arbi- trate the wage scale question with anybody.
 The general managers tonight for the first time admitted that the situa- ton was grave. The crisis was in- tensified by the fact that no compro- mise had been effected with the rep- resentatives of the 15,0OO locomotive fremen who are heEe negotiating for higher wages and an eight hour day Another conference was held today between the general managers asso- citation and a committee representing the firemen, but nothing In the way of a settlement was accomplished.
 Secretary slason Thompson. of the general managers association tonight said:
 we are waiting to see what the government will do. We do not ex- pect to hear directly in answer to our request that the whole difficulty should be arbitrated along the lines suggested by the Erdmann act, but we believe that when the labor lead CTS involved in the trouble receive word from Washington that the gov ernment has been asked to take hand in the matter the representatives of the union will look at the matter in a different light and will be willing to submit the question to arbitration We are not looking for trouble but we have made all the concessions we can afford to make under the present conditions and the sooner the men be- come reconciled to this the better il will be for every one concerned.
 When informed tonight that Chair man Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission and Charles P. Neill, Com missioner of Labor, were coming to Chicago to endeavor to effect settle ment of the trouble, P. II. Morrissey, Grand Master of the Brotherhood oi Railway Trainmen. said:
 The committee representing the men will be glad to hear suggestions from Governmental sources, still action will not be delayed unreasonably awaiting their intervention.
 We are not unmindful of the publtc's right in the matter and we are not go' ing to do anything hastily. One thing Is certain, however, and that Is the men will not accept the last propesi- ton of the general managers. If ths governmental officials can prevail upon the railway of1cials to grant our de- mand. everything will be anfcably ad- | iusted but unless this is done, I don't see what can prevent a strike"