New-York tribune., 1910-07-14
P. R. R. TRA|NMEN To
STRIKE IF NECESSARY"
Large Majority Vote to Enforce
Wage Demands and Better
Working Conditions.
EXPECT SAME ACTION WEST
Company Willing to Meet Condi.
tions on Other Roads if at No
Increased Expense-Con-
ference To-day.


tives of the conductors. trainmen and
yardmen 'on the Pennsylvania Railroad
falo notified General Manager W. Hey
ward Myers this afternoon that a large
majority of the men had voted yes
on the ballot which empowered the
mems general committee to call a strike
unless they reached an agreement with
the company on the matter of wages and
working conditions. Mr.. Myers in
formed the delegation that the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad is willing to meet the
conditions which prevail on other roads
provided that the company is put to no
additional expense.
At the request of the union leaders
another conference will be held with
Mr.. Myers tomorrow morning. In the
mean time the 120 delegates represent
ing the 1880 men are considering the
result of the conference.
The complete count of the ballots
showed that 1,S63 conductors voted in
the affirmative and AS against the
strike proposition. The vote of the
trainmen was 1091S in favor and 965
against Those not voting, 1t is said,
were included in the negative votes.
Conference with Mr.. Myers.
At the conference with Mr.. Myers A.
B. Garretson, of the Order Of Railway
Conductors. set forth the demands of
the men and said that as the vote sus-
81 ho Nnr
asking for a ten-hour day with the same
pay as under the present eleven-hour
system. the committee could do nothing
but insist upon the railways compliance
with these terms.
Mr. Myers spoke briefly in reply. he
said that the men admitted they were
better paid than employees of compel
ing railroads. The company's policy, ne
said, had always been one of fair treat
ment of employees. and he was willing
tc comply with the terms of any other
read, providing the Pennsylvania ex-
penses were not increased thereby.
Mr.. Myers told the committee that the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad was at present
sustaining heavy losses in having 5000
freight cars and go locomotives idle,
due to falling off in freight business,
and that any increase in expenses now
was out of the question.
Mr Garretson, again speaking for the
men, said that the old differential be-
tween the scales of the Pennsylvania
and New York Central had been con-
siderably decreased. and that 1t ought
to be restored to the old ratio He said
he could not believe that the amount in
volved would be any great burden upon
the Pennsylvania. He recalled that the
Lehigh Valley Railroad had defeated
the strikers in 1893, but at a cost of
81, 600, 900. and asked Mr.. Myers if he did
not think it would cost the Pennsylvania
more to fight than to grant the increase.
Mr. Myers merely repeated that the
road could not stand any increase in
expenses, and that the whole question
as far as he was concerned was one of
money.
Another Propositon7
Mr.. Garretson then asked that Mr..
Myers meet the committee tomorrow
and offer a proposition. Mr. Myers re-
piled that he would gladly meet them.
in accordance with this suggestion. at II
o'clock. He said nothing about another
proposition.
An official of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road said to-day that a large number of
letters, including twenty eight from one
town in Pennsylvania. have been re-
ceived by Mr.. Myers from affected en-
ployes, saying that they were not in
favor Of a strike, and that they consid-
cred the railroads position justifable
The strike vote was taken following
the refusal Of the company to grant an
increase Of between 5 and 20 per cent
in wages The labor leaders also assert
that the men want better working con-
ditions.