Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-14
FlREMEN'S ULTlMATUM.


railroad systems between Chicago and
the Pacific coast reached an acute
stage today when w S. Garter. presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen and Enginemen, formally no
tilted the railroads that if the entire
controversy was not submitted to arbi-
tration, strike would be inevitable.
Mr.. Carriers letter of notifications
was endorsed by the Brotherhood S
COMMITTEES, which represents the fire
men on about AZ railroads west, north
west and southwest of Chicago. The
letter was sent to w c. Nixon, gem
eral manager of the St. Louis & san
Francisco Railroad, chairman OF the
railroad general managers committee
and reads:
Dear Sir-Your letter of this date
(March 49, wherein you state that
the managers committee declines to
further consider matters in controver-
sy, has been received an in reply cur
committee instructs nc to say:
IF there is to be a great railway
strike the responsibility must and
will rest upon the managers commit
tee. That there may be no misunder-
standing concerning this responsibility
our committee hereby proposes the
submission of all matters in dispute to
an adjustment by arbitration.
"The public has been informed
through the press that matters in con
troverSy cannot be arbitrated, be
cause they involve the authority of
railway officials and the discipline Of
employees. This statement our com
mittee emphatically denies.
The officials of many railways rep
resented by the managers COMMITTEES
90 not hesitate 60 confess the gross in
Justice Derpetrated under present prac-
tees.
"Our committee directs me to re
quest tne managers committee through
you Is this proposition is not accept
ed by the managers committee that
you notify us at your earliest ConVen-
fence.
The railroads previously announced
their Willingness to arbitrate the in
creased wage demand which the fire
men say would amount to about 12i2
per cent. The other demands involved.
the managers say, concern discipline
and authority and are not open to ar
bitration. These points have to do with
the promotion of firemen aud questions
whether, when they become engineer
men they are still under the jurisdic
ton of the brotherhood.
docs your letter mean that if
satisfactory reply is not received q
strike will be called" Mr.. Garter was
asked,
at looks pretty grave" he said. I'VE
are nearer disagreement than we
have ever been during the whole six
weeks of conference. We do not want a
strike. We wan: the public to under
stand that AS to our authority to
strike we have the vote of more than
80 per cent. of the men in favor of it.
All of the answers we have received
from the managers heretofore have
been evasive I hope their next reply
will not be So"
II was learned that The managers
had agreed to stand Pat" and while
refusing to make any concessions.
probably would invite the brotherhood's
committee to another conference to-
morrow After comforting with Mr.
Nixon, O. l.. Dickson, assistant to the
president of the Chicago Burlington
& Quincy Road gave out the following
statement:
1--WE have received Mr.. Carriers let
ter which to the laymen who is not
thoroughly familiar with the methods
of labor organizations would appear to
be somewhat serious and to point to
Strike. | wish to say that this is mere
~ one of the methods unfortunately in
volved in conducting such negotiations
and it is not likely that the men would
sanction the action Of their leaders in
calling a strike over one or two techni-
| cal points We do not feel the slight
| est apprehension over the difference.
Managers at a meeting tomorrow will
make definite answer to the firemen's
committee and we hope for a peaceful
adjustment"
Chicago. March 13.-Admissions were
made on both sides tonight that the
| controversy between 10000 fremen on
| 10000 miles of railroads west, north
west and southwest of Chicago, and the
railroad managers, had become critical
and that the question of a strike tying
Up practically all systems between here
and the Pacific coast would be settled
within As hours.
President w S. Carter of the Broth
erhood of Locomotive F'iremen and En-
ginemen, on behalf of the firemen, to-
day sent to the general managers COM
mittee of the railroads a request for a
clear statement of the employers posi-
ton. The brotherhood asked for in
formation on three points in their de-
Continued on Page Ten.)