Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-03-12

Win Inems n the conference TINS
morning will be. between Or. Neill
and the same parties. No arrange
ments have as yet been made to call
into further consultation the officials
of the Baltimore and Ohio. This Is
thought to mean that the final ultima
tum has been presented by the COM
jany. and the peaceful settlement Of
the strike Is now in the hands OF the
employees.
Conferred All Week.
The conference yesterday afternoon
began at l o'clock and lasted until
Ais. As has been the case in all
previous consultations since the med
iation began, II was held behind closed
doors. and the nature of the PROPOSE
tions submitted and the points of diff
ference which still exist between the
two parties to the controversy were
not divulged.
DR.. Nell to whom seekers after in
formation were referred, met all ques-
tons with the statement. Nothing
can be said at this time He would
not state what was the difference NJ
issue which prevented an agreement
from being reached. Whatever II may
be 1t is certainly not believed to be
s~urmountable. as both the mediator
and the leaders of the employees are
willing t 0 continue the negotiation.
DIR. Neill did not appear 10 be de-
pressed when he came down from the
conference. He refused, however, to
commit himself upon any point 1T
issue, or to say whether he felt en-
couraged or otherwise.
In making his position clear DR..
Neill said. "The negotiation will be
continued tomorrow, but at this time
nothing can be said. When an agree
ment is reached or when mediation
fails a statement will be issued to the
public, for | believe the public are en-
titled to know the facts. But as long
as we are In conference any statement
of the progress of the mediation would
not be advisable"
He remained at the Rennert over
lIHAl 81 do ~ NC Ol HAHN "a "
the conference this morning.
No statement could be obtained
from the Baltimore and Ohio officials
yesterday. No information has been
received by thers since the termina-
ton of the conference Saturday after
noon, in which they took part. The
matter seems to be entirely out Of
their hands now, though nothing will
be said by anyone in authority which
might interfere with the work of the
mediators. The same stand is taken
by the leaders of the conductors and
.trainmen.
A Basis For Settlement.
The fact that the conference is con-
tinued for the fourth day is looked
upon as favorable for a peaceful
agreement being reached. 1t shows
at least that there is a working basis
between the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road Company and its employees. Each
side has shown a desire not to act
hastily, but to give due consideration
to the advances of each other. The
importance of the present negotiation
is realized when it is considered that
upon the decision reached there Is
vastly more at stake than the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad and its con
ductors and trainmen realize. As was
stated, the Baltimore and Ohio has
been selected upon which to make a
test case. If al increase in wages IS
granted all the other roads in the
east will be compelled to follow suit.
II, on the other hand. all efforts at
compromise fails and a strike follows,
1t is likely TO spread over all the
roads east of the Mississippi and
north of the Baltimore and Ohio sys-
TEN. This would completely paralyze
traffic in that section, mean the loss
of millions of dollars in evenue to the
various companies and throw out of
employment tens of thousands OF lei
The demand, which was made Sat-
urday upon the Baltimore and Ohio
by the Brotherhoods of Firemen and
Engineers for an increase Of wages
for the firemen has not been consider
ed yet. AS soon as the present situa-
ton clears somewhat, a day will be
set upon which the officials of the
company will confer with a delegation
from the iremen. If such a confer
ence fails to Lring about an adjust
ment of differences, the national Off
GERS OF the Brotherhoods will be call
ed in and the negotiation conducted
through them. Finally. II all negotia-
tions fail the proposition of the com
pany will be submitted to the employ
es. and a vote taken upon II. How
ever, this stage in the iremen's de.
mands will not be reached for sew
eral months.
-O-
HE RODE THE MIL 2