Gilpin observer., 1907-09-05

Denver.-By receiving an increase
OF cent per hour, effective September
1st, and accepting the proposition OF
the managers of the western railroads
for arbitration of the additional l cent
demanded by them, the representatives
of the switchmen closed all possibility
Of strike at this time.
The agreement was reached in the
Brown Palace hotel after the joint COM
mittee had been in session since Aug
ust 21st. The end came as surprise
for many, as it seemed that u deadlock
was certain.
The result is almost sweeping VIC
tory for the switchmen. The only
point conceded by them was that Of
arbitration. Representatives of the
railroad companies regard this conces-
sion as an important victory.
According to r. H. Ingram, chair
man of the managers committee, it
establishes precedent in railroad diff
fculties, this being the first time that
both sides have agreed to submit
difference to arbitration. Both sides
have. agreed to abide by the decision
of the arbitrator. representative
from the managers and switchmen will
appear before the arbitrator and argue
Tie duultlOudl Olc SShl pei hOui- AAO
will then decide and his decision will
be obeyed without cavil.
There is no possibility of further
trouble between the railroads and
their employees, as the differences OF
the western switchmen were the only
ones unsettled by the Chicago confer
ences Labor troubles on the railroads
now seem to be settled for at least a
term of years.
The arbitrator of the switchmen's
difference has already been selected.
He is a man prominent nationally and
both sides agreed upon him without
argument. Therefore any decision
made by him will be doubly accept
able as both sides are perfectly salts
fed with him.
Pending the answer to the telegram
sent to him, his name will not be re-
vealed. 1t is expected that he will ac-
cept with hesitation, however. Those
involved would not say whether or not
he is government official.
The switchmen won a great victory
in the agreement by receiving a blan-
ket increase of one cent over the whole
western territory. One of the most
bitterly contested points was the claim
of the managers that the switchmen
working in large centers Of industry,
like Denver, Salt Lake, San Francisco
and other municipalities, should not
receive an increase. They were will
ing at all times to grant an increase
in all desert districts. The switchmen
held out for a blanket increase from
| the first, and gave only one concession,
that of arbitration.
Increase in Wages is Result.
The number of men involved by the
settlement is said by Mr.. Ingram to be
$500. This means very substantial
increase in their wages" added Mr.. In
gram. 1.-THE switchmen demanded two
cents per hour increase in yards in
Denver and points west thereof and
submitted evidence that was recog-
nized by our committee as warranting
an increase of pay in some of the ter.
ritory, notably those in the desert and
mountainous regions of New Mexico.
Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Ida
ho and Wyoming. We offered to
rake some increase in such yards, but
declined to admit that exceptional con-
ditions existed at such points as Den
yer, Ell Paso, Salt Lake, Los Angeles.
San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento.
Portland, Spokane, ETC.. which would
Justify the recognition Of differential
wage SCALE"
The roads were finally forced to
grant the blanket increase. although
Mr.. Ingram said they still believe that
the switchmen were receiving as much
money as their work is worth in every
section. The increase In the desert
and mountain section he mentioned. he
declared should be granted, because OF
the inaccessibility of the places, and
not because the roads believed the liv-
ing higher.
The mileage OF the lines represented
every company having man at the
conference-is approximately $4,000
miles.
According to Mr.. Ingram. the feeling
during the conference was the best
and no temper was displayed. He pays
q tribute to President Morrisaey Of the
brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen
whom he says Is an earnest and very
able man, and "as far NJ his attitude ~
the representative Of the employea
would permit. was ct all times fAlr.s