Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-03-28
REFUSED DEMANDS, $4,000
TRA|NMEN MAY STRIKE
Ask II Per Cent Increase, 9 Hours Working
Day; Managers Only Willing to
Give and 10 Per Cent

the conductors and trainmen on the
Western railroads, and If the plans Of
the managers do not miscarry, the
whole matter will be submitted to arbi-
tration for settlement.
Late last night the general mana
gers gave out a statement declaring
they will demand arbitration under
the Erdmann act. A strike of the men
would interfere with interstate COM
merce. The railroad officials believe
they can prevent strike by asking
the government to step in and take
command of the situation.
The Erdmann act passed in 1898
provides for the arbitration of labor
difficulties where interstate commerce
is involved, by the chairman of the
interstate commission and the COM
missioner of labor.
General Managers Statement.
The general managers statement
given out late tonight was:
Late this afternoon the committee
of general managers received an off,
cial notification of the vote of the con-
ductors and trainmen rejecting the
last proposition of an increase
amounting to 1919 per cent in wages
and also authorizing a strike in case
no settlement of the matters at issue
could be effected. The committee ac-
cepting this as a conclusion of the ne
gotiations, has notified Messrs. Car
retson and Morrisey, the leaders of
the two labor organizations involved,
that they will demand arbitration un-
der the Erdmann act"
$4,000 Men Effected.
| CHICAGO ILL.,, March 2S.-Forty-
| five thousand trainmen of the Western
railroads seem nearer strike last
night than at any time since the nego-
tiations with the general managers for
an increase in wages and shorter
work day were started two months
ago.
The conference yesterday between
the representatives of the men and
the railroad officials lasted four hours
but was a failure so far as bringing
about a solution of the trouble.
The railroads offered the men in
creases of I per cent to passenger
conductors and 10 per cent to the min
or employees, including brakemen, fire.
men, baggagemen and allied workers
The men had demanded an increase
of IL per cent and nine hour work
day, and when the officials declared
their offer was the best that could bt
made the conference ended. as the mer
bv referendum vote taken last weei
had decided not to accept anything
short of their original demands
Men Consider Calling Strike.
Immediately after the conference
broke up, the representatives of tn
men got together to consider the ad
visabilitytof calling strike in orde
to bring the railroads to terms. Jus
what decision was reached is no
known tonight as the union men de
clined to discuss what had 'takel
place at the meeting.
They were, however unit in de
claring that a peaceable settlement o
the controversy can only be reached b.
the general managers offering conces
sions.
Another meeting of the union ha
been scheduled for this morning an
the general belief last night was tina
a strike will be called within the mex
AZ hours unless the railroad official
request another conference to try an
settle the matter without resorting I
fight.
Instructed to Call Strike.
p H. Morrissey, chief of the train
mems organization said:
1--WE have been generally instructe
bv the men we represent to call
strike unless the offer of the roads wa
satisfactory to us The vote by whic
this attitude was reached carried tn
strike proposition by a tremendou
majority.
"we are not satisfied and the me
are not satisfied. We are not goin
IN ask for any more conferences wit
the general managers. 1t is up I
these gentlemen now to prevent tn
men quitting work and the only wa
thew can do this is to accede to OF
demands"
A. C. Garrettson, chief Of the Con
ductors' union. also declared that ?
further conference would be hei
with the general managers
Managers Hope for Peace.
The railroad officials are not gun
4 pessimistic over the situation VIII
the men are declaring that strike
I inevitable, Secretary Thompson, OF Il
3 general managers, said:
= 1--WE have not yet given up hope
a peaceable adjustment Of the difficu
ty. We haev conceded great de
70 the men already and 1t would see
N he but a matter of a short tin
a.N- fhe