Norwich bulletin., 1913-07-18
Strike Threat Is Made Again
DRAW LINE ON ROADS
 GRIEVANCES.
A VIOLATION OF FAITH.
Efforts To Have Complaints Of The Railroads Arbitrated Are So Char
 acterized = Statement Of Officials

New York. July 1.-The 80, 600 train men and conductors who threaten 8 strike against the eastern railroads will not agree under any circumstances to have the roads grievances arhi- trated at the same time as the mems demands for better wages under the NeWlands amendment to the Er1nan act. according to a statement issued tonight by w. G. Lee, and A. B. Gar retson, presidents respectively of the trainmens and conductors brother hoods.
 MT. Lee. in a verbal statement sup plementing the formal one, declared that if the railroads persist in their present stand to have their own griev- ances arbitrated, it is absolutely cer- tain that 8 strike will follow.
 A Deadlock Created.
 The formal statement of the train men was sent as a letter to Elisha Lee, chairman of the conference committee of managers. It was prepared as a result of a meeting of the trainmen's committee of 100 held today to con- slider the announcements of the roads last night that they intend to have "all questions" incorporated in the agreement to arbitrate.
 The employees position as announced tonight brings about a deadlock The roads, however while insisting that their demand is an equitable one have agreement to meet Seth Low, presi- dent of the National Civic association, who has interested himself in the mems behalf and hear his presenta-- tations of his reasons of why the rail- roads should yield the point. Mir. Low will be heard by the conference com mittee tomorrow.
 "FIaerant Violation of Faith"
 The trainmen declare in their let ters that the railroads in insisting upon arbitration of their own griev- ances at this time could have selected no surer way of driving the men from the service
 The sincerity of the roads is ques- tioned by the employees. who point out that prior to the mediation conference with the president last. Monday no l intimation was given by the roads that they purposed to air their demands be- fore the federal arbitration body. The present attitude of the roads is char ] acterized in the letters as a fragrant | violation of faith"
 Copies of Letter Sent to Congressmen.
 Copies of the letter that the train men submitted to the roads tonight 1 were mailed to President Wilson, ev- 1 cry member of the senate and the 1 house and to all the conferees. at the meeting attended by the president | After giving resume of the con- | troversy the letter emphasizes that when the railroads consented to join !
 matter of dispute pending was the trainnen's wage demand. Tn this con- nectton the letter points out that in 1 practically all existing agreements be- i tween roads and men there is a pro- vision that if either side desires an amendment of regulation, thirty days | notice to the other side is required. Tn ! asking arbitration affecting several | agreements now in force the railroads l did not give such notice the train l men set forth
 Strike Instead of Arbitration.
 The employees said tonight that they will wait only for the senate's con- hrmation of the presidents appoint ments today before insisting upon 8 | conference forthwith at which they | will present their wage demand. If | the roads then submit their grievances 1 to the federal board the men so they l declared will decline to sign the ar 1 bitration stipulation and will strike 1 instead.
 NIT. Lee and MT. GaIretson expressed | satisfaction at the personnel of the mediation and consolidation board the president selected. No better appoint ments could have been made they said. 1 The committee representing the train
 men and conductors on the Erie road. which road withdrew from participa- | ton in the arbitration negotiations af- ter announcing it could not afford to
 grant better wages will meet here | tomorrow. The question of calling 3 | strike on this system probably will | be deferred until the outcome Of the 1 present deadlock is known.