Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1912-03-25
ARE FINANCIALLY UNABLE
LINES DECLARE THEIR ExPENs-
Es ARE INCREASING WHILE
EARNINGS DECREASE
BROTHERHOOD is SILENT
WHETHER OR NOT A STRIKE
WILL RESULT Is NOT YET
DETERMINED

New York, March 25.-Fifty rail-
roads comprising practically all the
lines east of Chicago and north of
the. Norfolk and Western, today re-
fused to grant an increase in wages
demanded by their locomotive engi-
neers. The engineers demand, pre-
sented on January %, was for am in
crease amounting to about 10 per cent
year. The railroads refusal is bas-
ed on the assertion that they are fin
ancially unable to bear the increased.
expense.
The railroads, in their reply, point
ed out that the proposed increase will
amount to s7,553,792 annually, which
would be equivalent to placing on
their property lien of $1SS, S,S44,S1S
of four per cent securities which
would have preference over first
mortgage bonds, "and to just that
extent would lessen the ability of
the roads to make the improvements
necessary to increase the efficiency OF
their service and to insure greater
safety to the public and employees"
The reply was presented ait Joint
meeting Of committees representing
the Brotherhood Of Locomotive En-
gineers and IL presidents and general
managers from the railroads. The
railroads point out that the wage ad-
vance to engineers and other employees
since 1910 was made in expectation
Of a "much needed" advance in
freight rates which the interstate
commerce commission declined to al
low. Since that period, they say, en-
forced reductions of rates have been
more or less continuous and other rate
reductions are pending.
The railroads declare that the fix
ing of a standard wage for the con-
ductors and trainmen was the result
of a crisis developed in connection
with their demand and should not be
taken as precedent. Figures are
presented to show that while the
gross earnings of the roads concern
ed increased $1S.55s,659 in 1911, there
was a decreaes in net earnings of
and while S,1797 less men
were employed, the total wages In
creased $S9,416,SO2. The reply is
signed by the conference committee
Of managers, J. c. Stuart, chairman.
Grand Chief Stone, when told, Just
before the meeting of the railroad
men, that the demands of the engi-
leers had been refused and asked
what the engineers would do. said he
lad no predictions to make. When
Mr. Stone came from the conference
DOM he said he and the other repre-
'entatives of the brotherhood Of Isos
'omotive Engineers would hold
meeting later after which they might
AVE something to say.
WAS any compromised suggested?'s
Ie was asked.
"None." he said I'VE have not
made known our attitude on the re-
usal and will not do SO until we have
lad time enough to discnss it among
ourselves After We have gone over
he matter another joint meeting with
he railroad representatives will be
eld."
1T looks like war, Mr. Stone later
vas quoted as saying, and the indi-
ations are that we will have to take
strike vote and make preparations
0 enforce our demands unless the
ailroads adopt more reasonable at
itude."
At the conclusion of the conference
t the locomotive engineers this az
einoon It was announced that they
would not recede from their position
n the demand for Increased wages.
mother conference will be held.