The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-10
RAILROAD NEWS.
Recent Labor Conference in
Chicago Was Instructive.
Both Sides Learned Something
of Conditions in Service.
PUBLIC WAS ALARMED.
Rumors of Strike Injured
Business in Southwest.
Other Items of Interest to
Railway People.
PUBLICWAS ALARMED.

The settlement of the wage and work
day question for one department Of the
railroad service in half Of the United
States is regarded as a distinct innOva-
tion for determining labor controversies
Tie public was so concerned for several
weeks about the rumors that strike
OF conductors and trainmen was i'm
pending as to overlook. at least tenn
p9rarily. the diplomatic points in the
negotiations.
Statements. which recently emanated
from the east, signify that the conduct
ors and trainmen employed on the lines
operating east Of the Mississippi river
VIII ask for an adjustment of labor
difficulties in a few months If they
submit demands. as is announced, the
differences may be worked out salts
factorily by a general conference, as
was done by the western roads
There were novel and dramatic fea-
lures to the negotiations between the
western systems and their conductors
and trainmen- Formerly the conductors
and trainmen of each road. represented
by their committee, settled their case
by a conference with an individual
management Then only one road was
involved According to the latest plan
the conductors and trainmen employed
On all the American and Canadian
roads operating west OF St Louis and
Chicago merged their interests and act
q
The conductors and trainmen of each
line chose a committee to represent
them The railroads appointed a COM
mittee of general managers Both par
ties had different headquarters at Chi
cago during the conference. assembling
at these headquarters in the morning
and evening. but they held Joint meet
ings daily and considered the issues
The small committee of the general
managers and the large committee of
= 4
two groups at the conferences and free
ly stated their demands and objections.
The conferences are said to have been
instructive to both the officials and the
men Until debate on wages and hours
became spirited, drawing out frank
declare tons from both sides. neither
the officials nor the men realized what
great varia lions there are throughout
the west, in wages and hours Of work
1t was ascertained. according to report
that conditions in different sections of
the western territory were so unlike as
not to admit of comparisons. The Off
Gals and the employees committees
learned much that was new to them
about the railroad service
In the early conferences. both parties
agreed not to divulge any information
about the deliberations. 1t is said that
although IT'S men participated. the I'M
Outstanding was fulfilled strictly Meth
er side discussed publicly the business
zone the conference until the break
in the negotiations occurred.
The statements that a strike would
take place injured business in the
southwest, IL not also in other parts of
the west. Passenger and freight traffic
was delayed until news of a settlement
should be received Merchants did not
wish to ship goods with an uncertainty
as to delivery at the point Of destfna-
ton Patrons of the roads did not wish
to travel and run the risk of being kept