New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-07
ROADS DENY CHARGE
THAT RISKS INCREASE.
Contention of Men That Work
Is More Hazardous Called
Largely Visionary.
ARBITRATORS IN SESSION
Representatives of Trainmen
and Conductors Warmly Cues
ton Claim That Demands
Mean 81 Per Cent Jump.

Statements were made on behalf OF the
railroads yesterday at the hearings OF the
arbitrators in the case Of the demands OF
the trainmen and conductors to the effect
that the contention Of the men that the
risks in railroading were increasing were
largely visionary.
John 6. Walber. assistant to the third
vice-president of the Baltimore x Ohio
Railroad, was again Oh the stand All day,
but his testimony was often interrupted,
cspt cialIy at the forenoon session. by ar
gUments into which he was drawn by
representatives Of the trainmen and con-
ductoIs.
During the afternoon session he sub
mitted tables TO show that the demands
Of the trainmen and conductors. based on
their present wages. and aggregatng $50
go, 6Sj % annually. would, II granted be an
increase of q per cent. The overtime de-
mands. II granted. he said. would ge an
increase of 1921 i75 q. while the increased
cost through changes of mileage would
be ss,il7. 725O OF.
\. h. GarretsOn. one OF the attorneys
for the employees. objected to the figures.
10 could not see, he said. how Mr.. Wal
Der figured out the q per cent increase.
Before the demands Of the engineers
were arbitrated" he said. III was stated
that they would increase the expenses Of
the railroads 10000 a year and that
this would mean an increased cost Of Il
per cent"
The witness pointed out that. while
nfty-one railroads were involved in the
demands of the engine drivers the de-
mands Of the trainmen and conductors In
volve only forty-one roads.
"You seem 20 be nouudering,' he added.
you are talking of the engine drivers
only. and seem TO forget that there are
far more men involved in the present
arbitration. which affects conductors.
trainmen. baggagemen and braKemen.'
Earlier in the day the witness combateG
the contention Of the employees represent
ativcs that their work was more haZ-
ardous than IL was eight or ten years ago.
The matter OF double headed trains, or
trains with two engines. was taken up.
and Mr.. Garretson condemned their use.
lie said one reason why they were more
hazardous 10 the men than trains with
seldom pulled in concert
The representatives ~ the railroads
seemed 10 consider this far-fetched
source Of danger. Mr.. Garretson said
that AS an active trainman he found them
70 bc hazardous Pressed for more spe-
clhc reasons. he said that the experience
OF trainmcn generally was that they were
dangerous
W. W. Attcrbury said that they were
no; more dangerous In his experience
than single-hcaded trains.
How long have you been an active
railroadcr? How long have you run
train" asked Mr.. Garrctson.
Seth Low. chairman OF the board. here
took a hand and asked Mr.. Garretson
whether the men would prefer increased
pay or to have doublc-headed trains abol-
ishcd. Garretson said that the men would
prefer 10 have doubleheaded trains abol-
ished
Lucius l.. Sheppard, one Of the arbi-
TRAITORS for the employees said. In al
disputes between the trainmen and me
railroads this matter has come mp. Inc
railroads apparently let it be known that
the trainmcn object 10 mountaineering as
an attempt TO dictate operating methods.
For this reason the trainmen are not
Just making plea for more money, CIV
ing the practising of double-headins'
which they do not want, as reason Tor
their demands.