Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-03-15
10000 F|REMEV ON
100000 M|LEs,0E
ROADS MAY STRIKE
Question of WaIk-out on Lines
West, Northwest and South
west of Chicago to Be Settled
Soon
BOTH SIDES ADMIT A
CRITICAL SITUATION

CHICAO. March 12-Admissions were
made on both sides tonight that the con-
troversy between 5000 firemen operating
on 10000 miles of railroad west, north
west and southwest OF Chicago and thu
railroad managers, had become critical
and that the question of strike, tying
vi; practically all systems between here
and the Pacific coast would be settled
within IS hours
PRESIDENT W. s. Carter, of the Brother!
hoG of Locomotive Fireman and Engine-l
men, on behalf of the flremen, today sent
to the general managers COMMITTEES OF
the railroads request for a clear STATE
ment of the employers position. The
brotherhood asked for Information on
three points in their demands, viz.
INFORMATION ASKED.
Increased wage scale, which the rail-
roads say would. amount to an increase
OF Y IL per cent, bat which the fremen
say would equal only Il IL per cent.
The right of the union to represent
the fireman after he has been promoted
either to an engineman or to any other
capacity.
The right of the union to have au-
thority in the questions of seniority or
the promotion of old time employees.
In previous negotiations the brother.
hood said they were willing to submit
the wage question to arbitration under
the Erdman act. provided the other two
points were settled without the aid OF
a. third party.
1t was announced by the general man.
ayers committee tonight that an an
swer was directed sent to President
Carter denying this request and leaving
Ii to the union despite their strike
vote" to take what future course they
think best. The answer, ii was said.
probably will reach Mr.. Carter tomor-
row. 1t is said the recent vote. showing
more than so per cent of the men to be
against accepting the offer of the rail-
roads, would enable the national officials
to call a strike at any time.
Negotiations have been on for six
months. About AZ western railroads are
involved. II a strike were called, il is
said. $500 other employees would be
thrown out
=. TEN MANAGERS PRESENT.
At today's Getting the general man
ayers were present. At the close OF the
session q member OF the committee said:
Although we confidently hope to reach
an agreement on arbitration. the situation
Is most critical. In the face OF the So
called strike vote we have told the men
we will not grant two points they ask for
before submitting the wage dispute to ar.
! bitration. A strike at this time certainly
would not be wise. We do not wish TO
alarm the business interests of the coun-
try, and we shall exert every influence 10
induce the Brotherhood to continue 20
act in a friendly spirit They probably
will receive our answer tomorrow to their
latest demands and we trust the whole
matter will be settled by Monday"
o. L. Dickson, assistant to the presi-
dent OF the Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy railroad, gave out a formal state
ment as follows:
PUBLIC NEEDN'T FEAR.
I'VE believe the public need have ne
fear OF a suspension Of business on ac-
count OF a great railroad strike The
railroads have spent several weeks con-
Quoting peaceful negotiations with the
men and we have offered to arbitrate un-
der the government law placed on the
statute books at the instance of organ
lied labor. the wage question. Three
other labor organizations have recently
accepted the arbitration and another inn
portant railroad. the Baltimore and Ohio,
has just succeeded In adjusting It's diff
ferences with the trainmen by media
ton. There is no reason to believs that
another intelligent body of men. we
have endeavored to deal fairly with, are
going to act hastily"