Norwich bulletin., 1910-12-26
RAILROAD STRIKE OFF.
 MEN GET MORE PAY.
Dispute Between 61 Roads and 33,0c0
 Engineers Adjusted.

Chicago. Dec. 25.-The wage dispute between the Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Engineers and the SiXty-one rail- roads west. north and south of Chicago was settled here Saturday. There will be no strike.
 The 33,O0O engineers involved get an average increase in wages of 10 23 per cent of their 1910 wage scale, on an annual average of approximately $192 for each man, representing a total of $3,S99,000 Specifically the agree ment provides 40 cents a day more pay for all engineers, with differen- tial in addition of 25 cents for 215,000- pound engines . cents day for the smaller Mallet engines. and $1 a day for the heaviest Mallets.
 In a letter to Charles P. NeiIl labor commissioner, who as mediator under the Erdman act effected the settlement out of what seemed a certain disagree ment. Warren $. Stone, grand chief engineer of the brotherhood, gave as the reason for accepting the terms of fered the suffering and loss which would attend a general western strike.
 Numerous specific working condi- tions are improved by the agreement. Engineers get the control of electric and gasoline motor cars used as loco motives, with an increase of 50 cents a day in present wages. ~HOstlerS un der the protection of the engineers get an increase of 9 cents day. The new rate is effective at once.
 Previous to MT. NefI's mediation the engineers were seeking practically IT per cent. increase in the old pay. The railroads had agreed to an increase approNimating 12 per cent, and there the matter stood. As early as Thursday it was conceded by both sides that only a small margin of difference separated them, but that each side feared that greater questions than that of wages would be raised.
 When Saturdays conference began MT. Neill announced that his efforts were about concluded, and that unless the cOnfereeS reached a settlement Sat urday there was little use for him to remain in Chicago. A realization of what a long, destructive strike meant brought the opponents together within an hour after the conference began.
 The adjustment of the dispute comes as a great relief to thousands of ship pers who have watched the conferees day after day. Their anxiety was an other factor in deciding the engineers to accept the average increase of 10 1-3 per cent. instead of the 17 per cent. they had fixed.
 In his letter to MT. Neiu accenting the 1atter's proposition MT. Stone said:
 After thoroughly considering the proposal and the question in it's en- tirety, we are of the opinion that the offer will not yield the engineers com pGIiSdIlOl COllIll6uSu4tt W4tIl kllS SS1 ~ vice performed, and it is with extreme reluctance that we inform you it will be accepted.
 In this connection we are prom pted to accept the proposition through the influence of yourself and desire on our part to avert a calamity that would bring suffering and loss on a large number of people who are not parties to the controversy.
 My whole statement can be found in the letter. We had in mind the suf- fering it would entail if we struck, and we were not so selfish as to use it as a, means of personal gain. We thought of the country and settled. That's all"