The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-29
Union Men Turn Down All
Chances of Arbitration.
Proposition offered by General
Managers Flatly Refused.
STRIKE IS CERTAIN.
Differences Exist and Neither
Side Makes Concessions.
Other Items of Interest to
Railway People.

Chicago, March 29.-The controversy
over the wage scale between the gen.
eral managers of the western railroads
and their employees in the train service
can not be ar0itrated The only way
IN which a strike can be averted is for
the officials of the roads to make terms
with the men. This is the ultimatum
issued by the representatives of the
two unions involved in the difficulty
after a meeting last night to consider
the action Of the railroads in asking
the federal government to try to bring
about a settlement by mediation along
the lines provided by the Erdmann act.
The arbitration move of the general
managers was considered at consider
Rble length by the union representa-
tives. but the proposition was finally
rejected ard a resolution passed re-
1using to arbitrate the wage scale
question. The general managers last
night for the first time admitted that
the situa ton was grave.
E1remen, Too, May Strike.
The crisis was Intensified by the fact
that no compromise had been effected
with the representatives of the $4,000
locomotive fremen, who are here ne
Eouating for higher wages and an
eight-hour day. Another conference
was held yesterday between the gener al
managers association and a committee
representing the firemen, but nothing
in the way of a settlement was ac-
complished.
Secretary sIasson Thompson of the
general managers association said last
night:
We are waiting to see what the gov
eminent will Go. We do not expect to
hear directly in answer to our request
that the whole difficulty should be
bitrated along the lines suggested by
the Erdmann act, but we believe when
the labor leaders involved receive word
from Washington that the government
has been asked to take a hand in the
matter that they will look at the mat
ter in a different light and will be will
ing to submit the question to arbitra-
ton. We are not looking for trouble
but we have made all the concessions
we can AFFORD under the present condi-
tons and the sooner the men become
reconciled to this the better it will be
for everyone concerned
Says Strike Is Certain.
When informed last night that Chair
man Knapp of the interstate COM
merce- commission and Charles P. Neill,
commissioner of labor. We're coming to
Chicago to endeavor to effect settle
ment. of the trouble. 2. H. MOrrissey.
grand master of the brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen, said:
The committee representing the men
Will hear and consider suggestions from
governmental sources, still, action will
not be delayed unreasonably awaiting
mindful OF the publics right in the
matter, and We are not going to do
anything hastily. One thing is certain.
however, and that is the men will not
accept the last proposition of the ger
eral managers. If the government Of
fcials can prevail on the railway Of
hcials to grant our demands every
thing will be amicably adjusted, but
unless this is done I don't see what !
can prevent a strike
Chicago March 29.-The representa- !
tives of the trainmen and conductors !
decided yesterday that they will ignore |
the proposition of the general mar |
ayers OF western railroads looking to |
arbitration under the Erdman act AMI |
voted to persist in their preparations |
for a strike. They declare that a walk |
cut is imminent unless the managers
make some further concessions.
The subcommittee of the Brother !,
hood of Railway Trainmen and the Or |
der of Railroad Conductors held spir- |
tied meeting to discuss the move for
arbitI alton made by the managers.
After a heated discussion it was decid-
ed to persist in the regular procedure
already outlined in arranging for a
Etrike. 1t was the unanimous vote of
the meeting that no attention should be
paid to the arbitration proposition as
at present made by the general man
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