New-York tribune., 1912-04-22
THE RAILROAD CRISIS.

A grave crisis in the threatened strike
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive EnSi-
neers will occur to-day, when the man
ayers of the Eastern railways Will meet
IN this city TO consider once more the de-
mands Of their employees. The Brother
hood Of Engineers gave formal notice
that unless some heed was paid TO their
demand for increased wages they would
on not more than two hours notice order
q strike on every railway north OF the
Chesapeake e. Ohio between the Atlantic
seaboard and Chicago, fifty railways be-
ing involved. Despite this formal notice,
the railway managers met last Thursday
and adjourned without day, having given
no sign Of an inclination to meet the de-
mands Of the engineers or even of con-
Ciliatory attitude. Subsequently, how
ever, the railway managers secured the
postponement Of the proposed strike
pending another meeting called for noon
to-day.
1t is cOntended by the railroads that
their engineers have demanded what
would amount to an increase Of COM
pensation equal to Is per cent that this
demand is unreasonable, especially in
view Of the unwillingnesS of the Inter
state Commerce Commission to consent
80 an increase Of rates, and finally, that
there is a principle involved which the
railroads might as we'll meet now, as it
must be met sooner or later. There are
Few not directly concerned who are com
petent 10 pass upon the merits of the
demand for increased wages. There
does not appear TO be conclusive evidence
that the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion would not sanction any increase of
rateS-an increase, for example, Suf-
ficient only to compensate the roads for
such increase OF wages as they might
find 1t necessary to grant. With regard
10 the final proposition, it is untenable.
Every one who has followed the adjust
ment of questions Of wages realizes that
there is no fixed principle involved in the
determination of wages and that in prac-
tically every instance where serious con-
fiict has been averted it has been by
some method of compromise.
There is one phase of the situation
upon which all must agree. A strike OF
the proportions of that now threatened
must work incalculable injury to bust
ness, TO say nothing of the inconvenience
and danger to the travelling public. Pub
lie censure will therefore fall heavily
upon the railways and their employees
alike, irrespective of the merits of their
controversy, If such a strike is permit
ted before every expedient to prevent it
has been exhausted. The situation ap-
pears TO be one which calls for some form
of impartial inquiry by those empowered
10 ascertain the facts and determine the
merits, and il is to be regretted that the
railway managers did not, at their last
meeting, when In their judgment they
were unable 10 meet the demands Of
their employees. propose such ali inquiry.
Should properly constituted commits
sion after complete investigation find
merit I'm the demands of the engineers
and favor some increase Of compensation,
II is hardly 10 be assumed that the Inter
stste Commerce Commission would dis
regard such an award in determining
the reasopableness of such an increase Of
rates as the carriers might think 1t neces-
Sary to propose; and even II the com
saesion should disregard such an award,