The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-16

Philadelphia, July 15-While the Off
Gals. Of the union conductors and train
men employed on the Lines Of the Penn
syivania system East Of Pittsburg to-
day declared that they were merely
awaiting action on the part of the union
men on the Pennsylvania Lines West Of
Pittsburg before ordering their men TO
quit work on the trains. there was no ma
terial change in the situation on the sur
face
Late tonight it was stated by proml-
nent union official that while the men
were doing their utmost to avoid precip-
itate action, he would not be surprised if
the walkout should be ordered for 8
o'clock tomorrow morning.
Both sides Issued further statements
outlining their positions in the present
strained relations. From the officers OF
the union there could be obtained no def
mite answer one way or the other as to
the likelihood of an order TO the men
TO quit work in accordance with the
strike ballot east on Thursday.
No sign OF WaIhout.
All that the strike leaders would say
officially was that they were awaiting the
outcome of the negotiations between the
unions west of Pittsburg and the railroad
officials There was no evidence at any
rate of any desire on the part of the
union men 10 precipitate walkout, and
II was clear that they were content TO sit
down for a time and await the outcome.
President McCrea issued statement
70 the stockholders and the public. out
lining the companys position and relat-
ing the action taken by the board Of di- |
Fectors OF the road this morning in up
holding In It's entirety the pelicy or the /
company's executive officers in adhering /
firmly TO its refusal to aeeade 10 the de- !
mands Of the union, It is thus certain /
that the railroad company will not relax /
its opposition to what II regards as the
unfair requests which its employees are
making of it.
None Of the officers OF the company |
would state to-day whether the railroad |
viii call upon Chairman Knapp OF the /
Interstate Commerce Commission or |
Commissioner Of Labor Neill to arbitrate /
the differences between the company and /
the men under the provisions Of the Erd- /
man act, which were found so effective /
In the case Of the threatened wallxout on |
the Baltimore and Ohio lines last Nav. |
This recourse TO arbitration the company
holds as trump card in its hand in the
event Of affairs taking a more serious
turn.
Statement of MeCren.
President McCrea declared in his state
ment that the company will insist upon
its refusal TO pay the same wages for a
ten-hour day as for an eleven-hour OF
twelve-hour day He says that the de-
mands OF the men are unfair, because
they can only be considered as a penalty
for former liberal treatment on the part
of the company. In this he had ref
erence TO the statement OF the men
that they had been educated by the COM
pany TO believe that they would be paid
from TO 70 per cent higher wages than
are paid to men on competing lines.
President McCrea declares that the
company Is willing 10 establish a ten
hour day. but that he is unwilling to pay
for it what the company now pays for a
day OF eleven or twelve hours. He said
that the men are exacting rate OF pay
which is not the same as that paid by
other roads in the territory.
The men. on the other hand, as repre-
sented by the officials OF their union, de-
clared in their statement to the public
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