Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-03-12
OBSTACLE ARISES
N B. & 0. DISPUTE
Decisive Conference is Set for
This Afternoon.
EMPLOYEES MAY YET STRIKE

Expected Agreement Did Not Mate
rialize Yesterday, After Protracted
riscussion-Point in Question Be-
Iieved to eB That of Service condi-
tions-Wage Schedule Thought to
Have Been Arrangd.
Baltimore, Md, March 10.-The ex-
pected agreement between the conduc-
tors and trainmen of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad did not materialize
at the conferences yesterday. It Is
said that some unforeseen obstacle to a
peaceful settlement of the wage and
service conditions arose at the confer,
ence in the Hotel Rennert yesterday
morning. which was held by DR.. Chas.
P. Neill. federal. commissioner of Ia
Dor, and Presidents Garrettson and
Lee, of the two labor organizations,
and the special committee represent
ing the employees. The conferences on
the previous day closed with the
brightest outlook for Industrial peace
that has prevailed since the mediatNn
began.
Yesterday morning when the repre-
sentatives of the employees went into
conference, they were apparently hope
full Of a speedy settlement which
would be satisfactory to all pearties
concerned in the controversy. What
took place behind closed door of the
the room in which the consultations
have been held is unknown. But when
the conferees came from their deliber-
ations they were wearing a tired ex-
preston and answered questions with
a strain of hopelessness In their
voices not observed before.
II would be purely speculation to at
tempt to specify the section or sec
tions of the demands presented by the
employees, and of the counter propo-
sition presented by the company,
which has caused a threatened dis
agreement. Presidents Garrettson and
Lee maintained the same silence that
has characterized them since the medi
alton began. DR.. Neill appeared very
weary and greetd the representatives
of the press with uplifted hands and
the remark: There is no good news
to give out"
AS to Service Condition.
1t is thought likely by those who
have carefully followed the long and
tireless efforts at mediation on the
part of DR.. Neill that the obstacle
which has now ~interposed in the way
of a speedy settlement, which would
be grateful to all parties concerned, is
not one of wages, but of service con-
ditions. It is understood that the two
parties are practically together on the
Wage schedule. The Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad is said to have made
some important concessions from the
confer propositions which was so yer
whekningly rejected by the employees.
These concessions are not thought.
however, to have been all that the
men asked in their original demands,
but were Of sufficient Importance 70
cause the leaders of the labor organi-
cations to agree to them tentatively,
at least.
The point on which the mediation
seems to be hanging Is a change in
service conditions demanded by the
men. Two OF the most important
changes asked are the abolition of dou
ble-headed freights and the breaking
of runs, through which the men are
compelled to lay over at some points
for several hours and are then, at
times, returned h the starting point
OF the division to begin a new I'M.
Such contentious as these can not be
a~rbitrated. They must either be re-
tanned or abolished, and it Is feared
that 1T will take hard work on the part
OF DR.. Neil to persuade either side to
recede from the position that has been
taken. However, the federal mediator
has not despaired, and has arranged
for another conference with the con-
ductors and trainmen this morning. A
more and Ohio officials in the after
noon, and at the conclusion of this
conference it will be known whether
peace will prevail over the Baltimore
and Ohio system, and, incidentally,
over the roads of the entire East, or
whether a strike will be declared with
all its attendant losses to both employ
es. Judge Martin A. Knapp. the other
mediator, is expected to aid in these
conferences.
Yesterday the conferences began
with the representatives Of the two la