Norwich bulletin., 1912-07-16
Responsibility
 of Engineers
CHIEF STONE SAYS IT HAS
 GREATLY INCREASED
SHORT WORKING LIFE
Stone Tells Arbitration Commission That It Averages Only ii 1-2 Ysars Argument For Wage lnereaSs.

New York, July 15-Representatives of 50 railroads east of Chicago and north of the Ohio river met the official heads of their locomotive engineers unions before an arbitration commits sion today at the Oriental hotel. Man hattan Beach, in an effort to reach settlement of differences which re- gently threatened to result in strike that. it was claimed. would have para lyzed the industries of the country, Increased pay estimated at t7,5oo,Oo0 year and better working conditions for engineers are involved
 Personnel of Commission.
 Oscar A. Straus, former secretary ot commerce and labor, presided. Ths other members of the commission arc Charles R. Van Hise, president Of thf University of Wisconsin; Frederick Newton Judson, leading yawler of St. Louis; Dr. Albert Shaw, editor of the Review of Reviews; Otto M. Eio- iitz, a New York contractor; Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and P. H. Morris sey, former president of the Brother | hood of Railway Trainmen.
 It was decided that witnesses called | by the two sides need not be sworn. but that any statements made or facts presented could be challenged If their accuracy was questioned.
 Stone Opens for Engineers.
 Warren H. Stone chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, occupied the whole afternoon present ! ing the case of the men He reviewed the differences between the railroads and the engineers and outlined the pressure that was brought to bear to have the controversy arbitrated
 We accepted the offer to submit our claim for increased compensation to this board for arbitration" said Mir Stone, "as we believe we can win be- fore any fairminded tr8unal on earth. We expect to meet every question that may be raised and 10 present absolute facts. Not only are the eyes of labor and capital watching the outcome of thls hearing but organized labor the world over Is waiting to learn whether the dawn of a new era is at hand or f we are to take step backward"
 Qualifications of Engineers.
 Mr. Stone said the men based their claims chiefly upon two grounds tha responsibility of the engineers while on duty and the skill required of an engineer. He said that no matter how . we'll a railroad is built and equipped, or how perfectly it is fitted with mod -
 
 that the responsibility for the safety [ of trains falls. He pointed out that the engineer must pass a rigtd exan- ination and be pronounced physically perfect before he is given charge of an engine. Insurance statistics showed. 5 Mir. Stone continued, that the average working life of a locomotive engineer r Is only eleven years and seven dayH and he added that if a man has only that much labor to sell he should bs . paid more than a living wage. Engineers to Testify. MT. Stone was interrupted by run | ming fire of questions from members of the commission. He answered them all
 and submitted reports made by rail- ;. roads to the interstate commerce com ! mission and other data in support of U his contention that the increased speed , of passenger trains, the heavier type 7 of freight locomotives and the more u elaborate signal systems in use com bined to add to the strain and respon- <. sibllity of the engineer.
 z MT. Stone had not finished outlining s q his case when the committee adjourned z for the day He will call a number oi 2 locomotive engineers as witnesses to- 0 morrow.