The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-11-25
Decision Only Binds Until
May, 1913, and Trouble
Threatens Then.
SMALL LINES HIT HARD
Grant Means Additional EX-
penditure of S7,172,OOO
q Year.
L. S. WAGE BOARD URGED
Would End All Controversies
Without Strikes to Cripple
Country.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-The 10000
locomotive engineers Of the Eastern
railroads have won their fight for an
increase in wages. The Board Of Arbi.
tration between the railroads and the
engineers in its award made public to-
day does not grant all Of the engineers
demands. but establishes minimum
wages which amount to a substantial
increase on most of the roads.
notwithstanding the increase in COM
pensation. the representative of tho
engineers on the board dlssents from
the award and says the settlement ac-
cepted by it can be only temporary.
The award is retroactive. running for
only one year from May 1, 1912. This
means that within Ave months the rail-
roads of the East probably will be con-
engineers and again may have to meet
the possibility of a strike.
The award by the Board OF Arbitration
probably brings the fifty-two railroads
OF the East also face to face with de-
mands for increased wages by the fire.
men and other employees.
The railroads estimated that the de-
mands on the part of the engineers II
granted would entail an additional ex.
pendture Of s7.172.O00 a year. II tho
same percentage OF increase wer3
granted to other employees the adj.
dltional expense would amount In all to
$67, 100000.
The Board OF Arbitration expresses the
opinion that this total Is too high. but
1t does not attempt to give exact figures
as to the additional burden that the
award may impose upon the railroads
OF the East.
The findings Of the arbitration board
are regarded here as practically insur-
Ing a renewed attempt on the part oe
the railroads to raise freight rates.
Question Of Expense.
The chief contention of the railroads
in opposing the engineers demands was
that they We're unable financially to
meet the increased compensation asked.
The Board OF Arbitration waves this
question aside and holds that II thu
railroads are not able to pay fair conf
pepsa tion to their engineers with exist
to open again the question OF an In.
crease in rates with the Interstate Coni-
merce Commission.
1t Is on the strength OF this suggestion
that the railroads undoubtedly will
quickly move to lay before the Inter-
state Commerce Commission again
schedules OF increased rates. The arbi.
traitors express a rough opinion, how
ever. that a great majority of the roads
In the Eastern district probably are
able to pay a fair compensation.
But more striking than the actual
award by the board Is a recomme nda.
tion which 1t makes for the solution Of
all labor disputes on railroads of ths
United States. This recommendation
contemplates the establishment by law
of State and Federal wage commis-
slons.
The Federal wage commission az OUT
lined by the arbitrators would be body
similar to the Interstate Commerce
Commission and all labor disputes on
Interstate railroads would be referred to
1t for settlement. Under this proposed
plan arbitration OF all railroads labor
disputes would be compulsory.
Labor Row In View.
the organized engineers on the Board OF
Arbitration, expresses bitter opposition
to this compulsory arbitration plan, and
the indications are that 1t will raise a
mighty protest from the labor world.
The engineers find fault also with other
features Of the award. particularly tho
failure of the board to uphold their de-
mands for Standardization Of wages
and for different pay for different
classes OF engines. Mr.. Morrissey is
the only member Of the Board of Arbi-
tration who does not sign the award.
The railroads also are disappointed
with some features of the report. but
Daniel Willard, president of the Balti-
more and Ohio, who represented the car
riers on the board. affixed his signature
to the findings.
The announcing OF this award marks
the end Of the most important American
labor dispute that has been submitted
to arbitration since the anthracite coal
strike in 1902. Through this arbitration
was avoided q strike which threatened
to tie up all of the railroads east Of Chi
cago and north OF the Norfolk and
Western line and which would have
brought untold suffering and money
loss to the American people.
The trouble between the railroads and
the engineers began last January, when
riers a series of requests involving uni
form rates Of pay. uniform classlhca-
tions Of service and uniform working
rules throughout the Eastern district.
The railroads refused TO grant the ~