Evening journal., 1912-04-13
Local Railroad Men
Quiet as Strike Threatens

Continued from First Page)
of the questions involved, and we
trust the conference committee Of
manages will have some proposal that
will bring the desired result"
Chairman Stuart's reply TO this let
ter did not please the engineers i'm
the least II read 1T will require sew
eral days to get the conference COM
mittee together. and ! doubt whether
II can be done before the middle or
latter part OF next week" Immediate
ly upon the receipt of this the division
chairmen of the brotherhood went into
session After an hours discussion
Chief Stone sent this second letter to
Chairman Stuart;
II am directed TO inform you that
we cannot understand why it Is neces-
sary to receive such an indefinite
reply We are firmly Of the opinion
that the seriousness OF the situation
necessitates more prompt and decisive
action on the part of the managers and
VIC must insist on a more explicit an
swcr."
Now that the vote has been takcn
Chief Stone may take any action he
deems advisable. lie may take Il at
any time, and II he is so inclined Ne
may take 1t without even consulting
the fifty division chairmeu. all OF
whom are now in the city These was
feeling among these chairmcn last
night that Stone might act next week.
Stone would not commit himself on
this matter, however. In a brief state
ment he made last night he began
with an expression that seemed sigiu-
fcant
1T is not likely he said. that the
situation will stand as It is for any
length Of time The next move is OBJ
viously ND 10 tho railroads The com
mittee will walt here a reasonable
time for a definite and decisive reply,
but 1t will not wait long.
81 am perfectly frank in saying that
believe the real question involved is
what the railroads can afford to pay.
The cost of maintenance and opera
ton is higher than il over has been.
That is properly a matter for con-
sderation. and for that reason II is
possible that the negotiations may
continue for a time. The railroads
have never denied that we are en-
titled TO what was ask"
"will you strike II tho railroads do
not make a satisfactory proposition ?"
Stone was asked
Could Call Strike IN Three Hours.
"That is not fair question" was
the reply. "All I care to say Is that
We will wait here a reasonable time
for the railroads 20 make a reply that
meets the situation. Calling a strike
Is simple matter. II could be done
i'm three hours All that is needed Is
time enough 10 get word to the men
TO come out OF their cabs They will
leave their engines where they are
when the order 10 quit arrives
Despite the feeling among the enei-
neers an effort that seems to he at.
tanning considerable strength is beiur
exerted to have the demands OF the
men revived under the provisions o
tho Frdman law. This empowers The
United States Commissioner of Laho'
and the Presiding Iudgo Of the Cour
Of Commerce TO act as arhitrators IN
such disnutes. The arhitrators hav'
no power to enforce their findings
but a powerful moral influence Is at
trihuted TO them
Railroads STU HODeful.
II was said today that the rail
roads are hopeful that this coursi
NAV he pursued. believing that a re
view Will establish the truth Of thei
contention that they cannot acced'
to the demands of the men unless the,
are allowed to make rate advance
that viii at least reimburse them,
The railroad managers declare tha
10 grant the wage advance woulC
mean an increase Of 100 per cent.
perhaps i25 Der cent. in operating
cost Wage demands are being for
mulated bv firemen and telegrapher,
already while the trainmen have beer
working toward the same end for th'