Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-04-01
NO ARBITRATION
OF RAIL DISPUTE
MEN DEMAND INCREASE OR WILL
STRIKE.
WAITING FOR GOVERNMENT
Interstate Commerce Commissioners
and Federal Labor Expert to Come
West and Wake an Investigation of
the Threatened Big Transportation
Strike.

Chicago March 29.-The contro-
versy over the wage scale between he
general managers of western railroads
and their employees cannot be arbi-
trated and the only way in which a
strike can be averted is for the Off
Gals of the roads to make terms with
the men. This is the ultimatum IS
sued by the union involved after meet
ing last night to consider the action
of the railroads in asking the federal
government to intervene and endeavor
to bring about settlement by medi-
alton, along the lines of the Erdmann
act.
The general managers last night 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 $4,000 locomotive fire
men, who are here negotiating fo2
higher wages and an eight-hour day
Another conference was held between
the general managers association AMI
but nothing was accomplished.
Waiting on Government
Secretary Slason Thompson of the
general managers association said
last night:
I'VE 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
ers involved in the trouble receive
word from Washington that that gov
eminent has been asked to take o
hand in the matter, the representa-
tives of the unions will look at the
matter in a different light and be will
ing to submit the question to arbitra-
ton. We are not looking for trou-
bic but we have made all the conces-
sions we can afford under present
conditions and the sooner the men
become reconciled to this the bette:
il will be for everyone concerned
When informed last night that
Chairman Knapp of the interstate
commerce commission and Com
missioner of Labor Neill were
coming to Chicago to endeavor
to effect settlement of the
trouble Grandmaster Morrissc-
railway trainmen said that the co n
mittee will consider suggestions from
governmental sources, that the men
are not unmindful of the public's right
in the matter, but one thing is GER
tain, the men will not accept the last
proposition of the general managers.
Unless government officials could PR
vail upon the railways to grant the
demand Morrissey could not see what
can prevent a strike
Commerce Commission Acts.
Washington, March 29.-Chairman
Knapp of the interstate commerce
commission and Commissioner Of
Labor Neil will leave here this noon
for Chicago, where they will hold a,
conference with representatives of
the conductors and trainmen and
officials of the western railroads en-
tering Chicago, in regard to the dis
pute over the question of wages,
which threatens to result in a disas-
trous strike unless satisfactory adj
justment is effected. Knapp said the
visit of himself and Neill would be
simply in the direction of mediation
and Cancellation. The request for
these efforts at med: alton and concili-
alton came from the railroads, lit
therefore becomes our duty under the
law" said Knapp, ito put ourselves
in communication with the parties
and endeavor to bring about settle
ment