The Paducah evening sun., 1910-03-14
R. R. STRIKE MAY
TIE UP THE WEST
EVERY ROAD BETWEEN CHICAGO
AND PACIFIC WILL BE HIT.
Railroads willing TO Arbitrate Wage
Dispute. but Other Demands,
Say, Concern Discipline.
20, 900 FIREMEN MAY QUIT WORK


ened walk-out OF $4,000 firemen OF
practically all the railroad systems
between Chicago and the Pacific
coast reached critical stage today
when w. S. Carter. president of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
land Enginemen, formally notified
the railroads that II the entire con-
tration a strike would be inevitable.
Mr.. Carter's. letter of notification
was indorsed by the brotherhood s
committee. which represents the fire.
men on about forty-seyen railroads,
west. northwest and southwest OF
Chicago. The letter was sent to w.
c. Nixon. general manager OF the St.
ouis and San Francisco railroad, who
is chairman of the railroad general
managers committee.
The letter follows:
Dear Sir-Your letter OF this
date March 13) wherein you state
that the managers committee de-
clines to further consider matters in
controversy, has been received. and
in reply our committee instructs me
to say:
"If there Is to be a great railway
strike the responsibility must and
viii rest upon the managers COM
mittee. That there may be no mis-
understanding concerning this re-
sponsibility our committee hereby
proposes the submission OF all mat
ters in dispute to an adjustment by
arbitration.
The public has been informed.
through the press, that matters In
controversy 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
represented by the managers COM
mittee do not hesitate TO confess the
gross injustice perpetrated under
present practices.
"Our committee directs me TO re-
quest the managers committee,
through you. II this proposition to
arbitrate. is not accepted by the man.
ayers committee that you notify us
at your earliest convenience"
Don't Want Strike.
The railroads previously announc-
ed their Willingness TO arbitrate the
increased wage demand. which the
firemen say would amount TO about
l12z per cent. Two other demands
involved. the managers say. concern
discipline and authority and are not
open to arbitration. These points
have to do with the promotion of
firemen and questions whether when
they become enginemen they are
still under the jurisdiction of the
brotherhood. A.
Does your letter mean that IL a
satisfactory reply is not received, a
strike will be called?" Mr.. Carter
was asked
'It looks pretty grave" he said.
1--WE are nearer a disagreement than
we have ever been during the whole
six weeks of confrnces. We do not
want a strike. We want the public
to understand that. AS TO our au-
thority TO strike we have the vote OF
more than so per cent of the men in
favor of 1t. All of the answers we
have received from the managers
heretofore have been evasiye. /
hope their next reply will not be so. !"
Managers "Standing Pat"
IL was learned that the managers
had agreed to stand pat" and while
refusing TO make any concessions
probably would invite the prother-
hoods committee 10 another confer
ence tomorrow After comforting
with Mr.. Nixon, o. l.. Dickson. as
sistant to the president of the Chi
cago. arlington and Quincy road,
gave out the following statement:
1--WE have received Mr.. Carriers
letter. which to the laymen who is
mot thoroughly familiar with the
methods of abor organizations
would appear to be somewhat seri-
Gus and permit a strike. / wish TO
say that this is merely one of the
methods unfortunately invoked in
conducting such negotiations, and II
is not likely that the men would
lsanction the action of their leaders
in calling a strike over one or two
technical points. We do not feel the
slightest apprehension over the diffi.
culty. The managers in due time
probably tomorrow. will make def
mite answer to the firemen's commit
tee, and we hope for a peaceful ad
justment.
Bin-Jake said he was going tc