The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-05-03
P. R. R. News.

In the present situation of the en-
gineers' threatened strike on fifty
railroads in the Eastern section of the
country, it is important that no mis-
understanding should exist in the
public mind.
The suspension of railroad opera
tion in this large territory involves
such disastrous consequences that the
power to bring about such state of
affairs should not be exercised by any
corporation or organization, nor
should the possession of such power
be used TO bting about calamity of
this character.
The enormous addition to operating
expenses involved in the demands of
the engineers, aud those that would
follow from other classes of employees,
would endanger the solvency of some
and impair the efficiency of all the
railroads to render proper service
TO the public aud wonld suspend IN
definitely, much needed improve
ments.
The Managers Committee for the
Railroads has accepted the kindly
Offices protleted by the Government
mediators, Knapp and Neill and has
been agreeable to arbitration, with
the understanding that there should
be appointed a commission of snfli-
cent mum 5ers and standing properly
to consider the important questions at
issue.
Under the law, the Interstate Com
merce Commission is made the arbi-
TRAITOR between the shippers and the
railroads in all cases where differences
arise. The Commission thus controls
the railroads revenues through the
r ate making power and largely CON
trolls their expenditures through the
administration of safety appliance acts
aud other railroad legislation. Under
these conditions, the destinies of the
railroads are absolutely in the hands
of the Commission, while the respon
sibilItY for safe and efficient results
still rests with the Management of the
roads, aud it is certainly not unreal
souable that this tribunal should set
tie controversy which involves the
question of whether or not the public
i'll this great territory shall for time
be deprived altogether of railroad
facilities.
The Committee Of Managers there
fore recommended to the mediators
thut the Interstate Commerce Commits
sIou be requested to act az arbitrator
of the engineers demands, and TO con
slider all facts az regards the ability
or otherwise of the railroads to ray
more wages to their employees, and
also to provide facilities aud safety
appliances alleged to be necessary TO
meet the demands of the public. The
proposition of the Committee of Man
ayers for the Railroads was submitted
to the Interstate Commerce CommIs-
sion and also TO Mr.. Stone, of the en-
glneers, and the mediaturs state that
they have been advised that the Inter
state Commerce Commission declines
to serve as arbitrator in the case, and
that Mr.. Stone has also refused to ae-
cept the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion as arbitrator
The matter now stands in this posi-.
ton: The mediators are endeavoring
to find some other solution aud to this
end meetings with the interested par
ties were continued throughout the
day. Late Monday evening the Con
fe renee Committee submitted to the
mediators an alternate proposition
providing for a commission of seven,
one each To represent the railroads
and the engineers, and these two to
select five umpires. In the event that
these representatives fail TO agree on
the five umpires. the latter are to be
appointed by the Chief Justice of the
United States.