Connecticut western news., 1910-05-12
TRAINMEN VOTE
 ON ERIE STRIKE.
Result Said to Favor Contest.
 Count May 16.

The strike vote of the trainmen and conductors on the Erie railroad sys- tenn between New York and Chicago for the wages granted to the Balti- more and Ohio trainmen and conduct ors by the arbitrators under the Erd- mann act will be counted in New York on May 16.
 The following statement as to the situation was issued by the Erie rail- road:
 ''The indications are that the diff culties between the trainmen and con- ductors of the Erie railroad and the company are not of such a serious na- ture as to make a strike inevitable. It Is the usual procedure of railway or ganizations when their original de- mands are declined for the general of ficers to take any necessary steps in- cluding the declaration of a strike in case a satisfactory settlement is not made with the employer.
 "A statement has been made on the part of the organization leaders to the effect that the Erie company stated clearly that all it would give would be an increase of approximately 6 per cent, which offer was refused. AS a matter of fact, the Erie has recently concluded agreements and increased wages of other employees in similar service, which advance amounted ap- proximately to 6 per cent, and it is ready to negotiate with the conductors and trainmen on relatively the same basis.
 "It was further stated on the part of the Erie railroad that it was opposed to a standardization of wages applying to all railroads in the territory trav ersed by the Erie without giving con- ditions proper thought and considera- tion. However, the labor leaders have taken the stand that a standard wage which they themselves have formu- lated must be accepted by all railroads regardless of conditions or ability, and they state if their demands are not complied with that strikes will be de- clared for the enforcement of their principles and even going further by making the statement that neither me- diation nor arbitration will be accept ed." s- Z. ......a.
 Commenting on the statement, w. G. Lee, grand master of the trainmen, speaking for Grand Master Garretson of the conductors and himself, said:
 hn LyYio hoc fhn opportunity as the New York Central and the Baltimore and Ohio railroads, and we did not ask a penny more nor will we accept a penny less in wages than they pay. When the Erie buys new cars or equipment it pays the standard price, as the New York Gen. tral or the Baltimore and Ohio or any other road has to pay. Why should it pay less for labor than these roads? There is no truth whatever in the statement that the company has been dealing with the officers of the organ izations rather than its own employees
 "The men have no share in incur ring any of the charges left by other arrangements of the company. The Erie is making money, but is handi- capped by fixed charges owing to capitalization of $175,OO0 or so per mile of road owing to poor manage ment in the past. which the present management inherited the burden of, but which President Underwood, Gen. eral Manager Stuart or any of the present officers are no more to be blamed for than the men. Why then should the workers be expected to pay a share of it?''