The Washington herald., 1910-12-24


Chicago, Dec. 23.-Hope OF peace in the
Western railroad situation mas not yet
been abandoned. bat the most gigantic
strike in the railroad history of the couh-
try may be imminent
Within forty-eight hours an CIDER may
be issued which wilF tie up more than half
the railroad mileage and Isolate more than
two-thirds Of the territory of the United
States
Up to midnight tonight the engineers
were so exasperated at the attitude of
the general managers committee which
had refused TO take the strike threat Sc
riously that they were ready TO go out or
a moments notice. If the order is issued
il will affect every railroad west of Chi
cago at the same hour.
Say Increase Must Come.
Only the yielding Of the railroads and
further increase in the wages OF the
engineers can prevent the clash. Since
December Il Commissioner of Labor
NeilI has worked day and night TO avert
the strike. and neither side has yielded
an inch. Early tonight the government
mediator declared that he feared there
would be a strike and then he called
Grand Chief Stone, Of the Brotherhood
Of Locomotive Engineers, and his assist
ants into a final conference.
Before going into conference. which
ended at midnight, Mr. Stone declared
that he saw no chance OF a settlement.
and that a hght might be expected within
a very short tine.
The members OF the engineers commit
tee fTom the various systems were ak
ing preparations 20 leave the city early
this evening. and it is probable that if
a strike order is issued it will be set
far enough ahead 70 allow each officer
to get to his post which viii require
about three days.
Engin GERS Not "BIufinE."
Although the general anagers have pro-
fessed TO regard the strike vote OF the
men to be a mere bluff" the representa-
( tives of the engineers assert that they
never were as much in earnest in their
lives. and that they are ready TO go the
limit. They have place dthe-nselyes de-
/ liberately in a situation where it is said
they cannot back down unless they wish
10 see their organization so TO pieces.
The movement for wage increase
on the Western roads began in the con
vention OF the engineers in Detroit last
May. In accordance with the conven-
tion. the chairmen on the various sys-
TENS met and formulated new wage
schedules, which were submitted to the
rank and file for a vote last July
When the demands were ratified by
the men. they were presented to the
managers in August. and negotiations
began Septsflber &c last. The conference
lasted until November 2, when it was
suspended while the labor officials sub
mitteG the question OF a strike 70 the
men.
Demands Scaled Down.
During the negotiations the original de-
mands had been scaled down to such an
extent that many Of the men were dis
| satisfied. am when they were asked
whether they would agree to a further
scaling down or strike 10 enforce the
modified demands, the vote was g7-63 in
favor OF a strike.
After the conference, which ended at
midnight, Chief Stone seemed more cheer
ful. and hinted that something absolutely
definite would be forthcoming to-mor-
row. hIr. Neil is said 10 have worked
out a compromise that will go before the
commit tees for action Tomorrow. and
there was a feeling that Il was of such
a nature that the engineers might ac-