Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-31
May Be Made With Bos-
ton & Maine Says Rumor,
The Men Said TO Be PRACTICAL
y United in Demands.
Baltimore & Ohio and Men to Have
Another Conference Today.

Boston, Jan. 30-IS the Boston 4
Maine the railroad to be selected by
the conductors and trainmen'S ma
tional boards as the one on which the
men VIII be first called to strike to en-
force the demands fer wages and hour
conditions TO conform to the Chicago
standard, which demands have been
made OF all the railroads east of the
MISSISSIPPI and north of the CheSa-
peake and Ohio rivers, including Can
ada?
Grand Master w. T. Lee of the
Trainmen's Brotherhood and Pres. A.
b. G;trretson of the Brotherhood Of
Railway Conductors some time ago
announced that the probable program
in connection with the general effort
in the eastern territory would be to
pick out some one system, give 1t an
ultimatum and if the requests were
not acceded ~, to strike. When the
fight should be won with this road the
others would be ready to concede the
requests, it'was argued.
That New England would probably
be chosen for this initial action was
limited. and the original report, neither
confirmed nor denied, was to the eff
feet that the Boston < Maine and New
Haven Roads would be the ones
chosen for the test and, if necessary
the New York Central lines, including
the Boston x Albany and Rutland
divisions would be also involved.
Yesterday it was said by railroad mems
officials in a position to know that the
B. & NJ. would probably be selected and
bot nd or mo
land lines would be struck sympathetical-
ly, if necessary.
The Boston & Maine conductors and
trainmen are better organized than on
any other railroad in the country. 1t is
claimed. Nearly 1900 members of both
organizations are employed by the road,
more than SO per cent. of it's trainmen
and conductors
The B. & NJ. men, to the surprise of ev-
eryone, voted more strongly in favor Of
the proposition of the Eastern Associa-
ton of Conductors and Trainmen at the
referendum in December than the men
of any other system. The conductors, it
is stated, were about sc per cent. in favor
of the proposition to make the general
demand, and the total affirmative vote of
conductors and trainmen was "a Al per
cent, whereas the average throughout the
country was a fraction above 80 per cent.
1t is known that arrangements for call
ing the B. & NJ. general board of adjust
ment to meet in this city next week have
been made, and it is declared that the
officers of the board have been sounded
from headquarters on the plan to select
the b. & NJ. for the first ultimatum, if
necessary and they in turn have sound
ed the men and found them agreeable.
The method to be pursued if the
present plan is carried out. will be to
make a final demand for the request,
an increase of about 10 per cent. in
wages and a reduction of hours from
II to 10 each day. 1T is not expected
that the road will Immediately grant
any such request. A time limit will be
then set for an answer. the men of the
system will be polled on q yes" or
no" strike vote which, if in favor,
will be presented to the management of
the. road in further opportunity to
agree, and if the requests are not
then granted the men will be called on
strike AND the support of both organ
izations throughout the country will be
concentrated on the battle.
1t is claimed by representatives of
the men that despite denials, figures at
the headquarters of the conductors
and trainmCn show that the lB. &, nj. is
the best paying of any in the country;
also that it has the least fear of being
parelleled by competing line.