Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-29
Trainmen Will Stand Firm.

IFdInnnSn VIII 0IdN0 ClFW1.
Chicago, March 29.-The attitude Of
the members of the Order of Railway
Conductors and the Brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen was today more
favorable toward possible arbitration
of the differences between them and
the railroads than on yesterday. 1t
was reported today that Chairman
Knapp, of the interstate commerce
commission and Charles P. Neill, Unit
ed States labor commissioner would
probably leave washington for Chi
cago some time during the day, and
willing to await their arrival before
taking any action.
AT the same time Grand Master Nor
rissey, of the trainlnen, and President
Garretson, of the conductors, declared
the attitude of the men in regard to
the demands they have made upon the
railroads had not changed, nor is it
likely to change. The men are still
disposed TO insist upon their demands
and declared they would not abate
them.
1t is possible another meeting be-
tween representatives of the men and
the general managers will be held after
Messrs. Knapp and Neill have reached
the city Morrissey said that meet
ing would be held provided there was
anything new to discuss, but the men
had reached the final stage so far as
the last proposals Of the railroads were
concerned. TheAe have been finally re-
jected by the men, he said, and they
will not again be considered unless new
proposals go with them.
I'VE will do nothing hastily" said
Morrissey, "and we are fully consider
ing the rights of the public, but the
attitude of the railroads is not salts
factory, and we cannot accept the stu
alton as it is. Members of our organ
ization have voted for strike unless
their demands are satisfied. There the
thing rests at present"
Both the trainmen and conductors,
as we'll as the general managers COM
meetee, held meetings today; nothing
tangible came out of either gathering.
On both sides there was disposition
to await the arrival of Knapp and Neill.
President HaIts Strike.
Chicago. March 29.-Agencies of the
federal government, set in motion by
President Roosevelt as a result of an
appeal from the railroads for arbitra-
ton, were successful yesterday in halt
ing temporarily, at least, great strike
of $4,000 men on forty western rail
systems.
Martin A. Knapp, chairman of the
interstate commerce commission, said
in Washington that he and United
States Labor Commissioner Charles P.
Neill will Immediately upon their ar
Rival in Chicago tomorrow seek a con-
fsrence with each side in the contrO-
versy.
Our visit" he said, will be simply
in the direction of meditation and con-
ciliation. The request for these efforts
to bring about peace came from the
railroads 1t therefore becomes our
duty under the law to put ourselves in
communication with the two sides and
endeavor to bring about settlement.
If we fail in that effort it is our duty
to induce them to enter into arbitra-
tion."
The strike board of the trainmen and
conductors met at the Sherman house
in the afternoon and considered the ar
bitration proposal favorably. Members
of the board, while not agreeing def
nitely into this plan of settling their
differences with the roads, decided to
accept the good offices" of the United
States representatives.
Preparations for a strike were
dropped, pending developments of the
trainmen's brotherhood in an official
statement said strike action will not be
.unreasonably" delayed. At the same
time he expressed his regard for the
rights of the public.
1t is understood that fear of adverse
public sentiment had much to do with
the changed attitude of union leaders.
While the strike board was meeting it
was known to members that President
Roosevelt had conferred with Mr..
Knapp and Mr. Neill in reference to
the situation. Mr.. Neill is regarded
as thoroughly representative of labor
interests The president was said to
have expressed his great desire to
avert a tieup of western lines, particu-
larly at a time of unusual congestion,
and to have intimated his readiness
to take any step to prevent strike
These facts are said to have been
conveyed to Grand Master Morissey
and Grand Chief Garretson, the lat