Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-04-01

KNAPP AND NELL CONFIDENT
Government Representatives Hear Ru-
mors Of Dissatisfaction on Part Of
Railway Employees and Are Led to
Believe Concessions Will Be Made
and Strike Averted.

chicago, April Lille SiludtioiI LA
the controversy between the railroads
and trainmen and conductors was not
today materially altered from yester-
day. Another series of conferences are
to be held today, in which Chairman
Knapp. of the interstate commission.
and Secretary Neill, of the United
States labor commission, will be active
participants.
The report circulated yesterday that
large number of members OF the two
organizations are not in favor Of
strike altho denied by their leaders,
led both Knapp and Neill to believe
that terms satisfactory to both sides
may ultimately be reached.
Chicago. April Positions were re-
versed in the railroad situation yester-
day. The managers became the ones
TO refuse to conciliate.
Under the arguments of Commits
sioners Knapp and Neill. the labor
chiefs intfmated that they were willing
to concede something in the interests of
peace.
The managers declared anew that
they would grant nothing more than
they already had offered their en-
ployes.
The arguments of the government Of
ticials failed 10 move them.
The labor chiefs went into conference
with the government officials at 10
o'clock in the morning at the Auditor
ium Annex. The session lasted four
hours, and after it adjourned the rail-
road managers met Mr.. Knapp and Mr.
Neill.
That session lasted all the afternoon.
the managers afterward giving way
again to the labor committee.
1t was almost a continuous session
thruout the day and evening for the
government officials, first with one side
and then with another. Last night Mr..
Knapp said that they were progressing
but that nothing definite had been &C
complished thus far.
The intimation from the labor men
that they might concede something was
considered stragetic move to secure
public sympathy in the event of
strike being called. Under the Erd-
mann law, COMMISSIONERS AudpP anu
Neill are acting now purely as a con-
clia.ion committee. The labor men
declare it is not Cancellation for one
side to yield everything and the other
side to remain in an arbitrary posi-
ton.
What concessions the labor men are
willing to make they refuse to disclose
for publication. Their original demands
were for an increase of Is per cent
and an eight-hour day. In the negotia-
tons these demands were modified to
II per cent increase in wages and a
nine hour day. They refused to fur
Their modify their demands and put the
matter to a vote of the membership.
The managers offered an increase of
10 per cent to men in the freight service
and what amounted to per cent in pas
senger service. This offer was rejected
by an overwhelming majority on a ref
erendum vote.
The employees now are said to be
ready to concede little both on the
managers declare the labor men must
come all the way and accept the offer
which the rank and file of both the Or
CARNATIONS of tranmen and conductors
rejected by IS per cent vote.
In their Arguments before the govern
ment officials Saturday the railroad
managers asserted that the recent vote
of the employees was not fair criterion
of the feeling they entertained toward
the proposition OF the railroads.
They said that most of the passenger
conductors were willing to accept the
rendered increase of $40 month, but
that they were required to sign their
names to the official ballot, and that
they did not wish to be placed in the
light of appearing false to their fellow
employees.
The managers declare that many of
the men voted in favor of rejecting the
offer Of the railroads and going on