New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-11
Taft ACTS AS MEDIATOR
President in Conference with
Employers and Engineers.
COUNTING STRIKE VOTE
ryen if Walkout Is Favored
Further Peace Meetings
Will Be Held.

washington. April lo-The controversy
,.,,Aen the Eastern railroads ard their
,..o,,otive engineers has reached an acute
49, where. It was learned to-day, con-
,.-s,css have been held by President Taft
"a otber government officials with officers
:, ~, railroads and Of the Brotherhood of
,ocomotive Engineers.
:, &c understood both sides have indi-
..,.d that If the President or the Inter
- commerce Commission we're to ap-
.lnt . commission, such as that which
'.,,led the anthracite strike q few years
-. both sides would be willing 10 abide by
y. ..cision Thus far the suggestions for
.,..b commission have been only tenta-
49,. hut Il is understood the President is
,.c,,ned 70 regard them with favor.
vA,tber the railroads nor the engineers
,rpsar 10 be willing to agree to submit the
.tntroversy 10 the Erdman board. One ar
,,,rent advanced by the railroad of1cials
!, favor Of a specia! commission IS that
~. subject would receive the FULLEST pub
uAtv They urge they have treated the
.,-tnAsrs fairly as 10 wages and hours and
,.1sit'ors Of labor and that they cannot
rrder present conditions increase wages.
Tbs engineers officials are understood 20
b,ys expressed confidence that commits
s,on Of unprsjudiced persons would agree
rat their demands were justified.
The conferences between the President
end the representatives Of beth sides are
understood 70 have extended over short
intervals Of two days, in which ell tndi-
Gated that a serious break could only be
sverted BY careful diplomacy.
Through the failure Of the chairman Of
g number OF the system divisions OF the
engineers on the fifty railroads. who have
taken ballot on the question Of general
strike 10 arrive here on time with the
ballots. the result Of the ballotinG could
not be announced yesterday. Some Of the
chairnen arrived last evening and the le-
rander will reach the city to-day
Judging from the ballots counted up 10
date it is likely that the vote is for a
strike Even the representatives Of the
railroads concede this. But until Warren
s Stone grand chief Of the engineers. fails
IN another attempt 10 bring about an ami
cable settlement a vote for a strike re-
mains merely the expression Of the senti-
ment Of the engineers.
According TO some Of the delegates of the
engineers the Brotherhood of Firemen and
Eng!nemen, among whom there are many
engineers, which is taking a vote on the
question OF making sweeping demands on
the Eastern railroads for the fremen, the
two organizations will cooperate in The
enforcement Of their demands. II was
further stated that the railroad telegra-
piers and shopmen were preparing 10 make
demands. Mr. Stone would make no posi-
tive statement Oh the subject, but said he
woI;S do so wien the proper time came.
II was Esoorted that some CT the rail-
road companies were ready TO make agree.
ments embody!ng some concessions TO their
own employees, provided they cut loose
from the present conferences Of the engi-
neers, which would be a return TO the old
system Of each railroad making separate
agreements with its own operating forces.
A W. Sullivan, secretary Of the man
ayers committee Of twelve, repres entng
the fifty railroads. was out of town. and
his assistants said they had heard nothing
Of these reports. There was q report that
an important meeting OF the committee OF
twelve had been called for April H.
In case Of vote for strike either side
TO the dispute can appeal for mediation or
arbitration under the Erdman mediation
sct. The act is not mandatory, however,
and either side can decline 10 act under a..