The Washington times., 1908-02-18
NACHINISTS QUIZ,
CAN'T AGREE WITH
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
Road Rejects Their
Proposition and They
Leave to Tell Men.
Opposed Cut in Wages
Along With Cut in
Working Hours.

The Southern railway and representa-
tives from its thousands OF maehinists,
in conference here for several days,
hsve been unable TO agree on the pro
posed reduction in the Wage-scale, and
the machinist delegates left for theiE
homes last night On their return they
viii submit to their cO-laborers ia the
shops the alternative Of accepting the
reduction proposed by the railroad com
nany. about 655 per cent. or OF going on
a strike. provided The national body as
sents.
The last EFFORT TO reach an agreement
was made late yesterday afternoon,
when the machinists held a final con
ference with General Manager Acltert.
The road has proposed a return 10 the
oid scale OF wages IN effect october
1906. Furthermore, the road, the ma
eh1nists state, would not promise 10 re
tain the present hour scaTe-f0 hours peT
week-and would give no assurance that
there would also not be cut in hours.
Proposition From Men.
The machinists came back with this
proposition. which. It is said, Mr.. Ackert
agreed was fair, but could not BE- ac-
Cepted:
First, that we realize the present
financial and industrial depression has
plsced the Southern railway in a Criti-
cal cordi ton.
Second, We feel that we can con
sistently recommend 10 the employees We
represent to lend assistance.
owing TO the facts as stated. we Of
Ter as a cOunter-pFOpOsltlOn thar the
Southern railway, instead OF reducing
our rate per hour. withhold the per
centum asked for, without interest FOR
such time as can be agreed upon.
You must realize that since this de-
preston came on about - or 30 per cent
or your employees have been dismissed
from service, and those of as vino re-
main in service have for some time. and
are now suffering a reduction Of about
80 per cent IN our income through sht
reduction Of hours Of employment. ToU
also realize that n has been the policy
OF the Southern railway to employ -ner
OF families and 10 offer them induce
ments to buy homes and settle alone
the railway at points where its shops
are located. which policy has been par
.-ied ny many. These men are urdeJ
financial obligations which must be met
or al their sacrifices lasting for years
vii be Tor nauGht. The price of com
modiues, Furthermore, has not de
creased N keeping with the loss OF op
portunities for pursuit Of a livelihood.
Ask Help of Stockholders.
We are of the opinion that il is tht
duty of the stockholders, who have re-
CelVed the QlFldendSs 10 return a pOr
ton Of them TO tide the railway ovel
this critical period. and not impose upoI
the employees alone the brunt of the
burden. equity demands that all inter
ests should assist"
General Manager Ackert and forty oI
the leading mGchinists, from all shops
we're in conference for four hours OF
this proposition, but on its conclusion Il
was announced by President Archie Me
Gillivray, OF District No. 4, Information
Of Association OF MaChinistS, tina
agreement was impossi BILE.
1.-THE road has stood pat upon It's
proposition. and we have stood pas
upon ours" he said. There seems II
be no middle ground upon which we car
compromise. The road insists there
must be a reduction, not loan as va
suggested, and We DO not see how vs.
can stand further reduction. We ONLY
work forty hours per week, whereas
four months ago we worked htty-four.
I'VE return hoTe today TO submit 4
the men themselves the roads alterna
i've Tney NAV wish TO strike; 1 don
know The road has told Us that al
answer must be forthcoming by Marel
About 1900 employees are effected b!
the proposed reduction, including al
,1aehinists. boilermakers, pipe men
blacksmiths, and car men on the sys
TEN.