New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-08
.F|REMEN REFUSE TO
ACCEPT ROADS TERMS
important Question Now Con-
fronting Conferrees Is the
Method of Arbitration.
CARTER FOR ERDMAN PLAN
But Says His Committee VIII
Waive Mediation Feature OF
Law-Managers Defer
Final Reply.

Efforts TO bring about an adjustment OF
the controversy between the railroads az
the Eastern territory and the locomotive
firemen without referring the matter TO
board OF arbitrator have failed, the hrc-
men refusing yesterday TO accept the
terms offered by the railroads.
The important question which now con-
fronts the railroad managers and the ftre-
men is the method OF arbitration. To-"
railroad managers favor mediation by
board such as the one which recent!N
settled the dispute between the locomc-
tive engineers and the railroads.
The reply of the fremen was addressed
to Elisha Lee. chairman OF the confer
ence committee OF managers. and was
signed by W. S. Carter. president of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Firemen am
Enginemen. IL was read at a joint con-
ference yesterday. Mr.. Carter said he was
instructed by the adjustment commute
Of his orga nizstion again 10 affirm the
position taken several weeks ago when
the organization informed the rairo'1
managers that Ito avoid the necessity "t
submitting the question to vote Of the
locomotive hremen the committee Is vii
ling TO submit all matters in dispute Il"
arbitration, under the provisions OF the
federal arbitration law. known as the
Erdman act waving the mediation feat
ure of that act
Mr. Carter remarked that the comm
tee nov understands that the principal
81, - bo farapGa gnnlmiffpp rf
managers 10 the Erdman act is the ia
sufficient time given under that act 20
hear testimony ana reach conclusion.
To overcome this alleged Objectionable
feature we are willing 10 agree with you
that the time limit set by the act be eN-
tended from thirty TO sixty days
lnasmuch as the negotiations had been
greatly prolonger Mr. Carter added. the
nrcmens committee instructed him ~
submit proposed articles OF agreement 70
arbitration under the federal act. These
articles adhered closely 10 the Official
form prepared by the commissioners
named in the federal act but included
exceptions. 10 10 agreed upon. which
should meet ak the objections that the
railroads might have.
The question Of compensation for aTbi-
traitors was also taken up by Mr.. Carter.
Section u OF the articles states that. while
the Erdman act specifically provides com
pensation and expenses for all three mem
bers OF the Board OF Arbitration. the
total annual Appropriation by Congress
was so small that arbitrators had to look
TO their respective interests for SUCH com
ponsat!on.
II was provided. therefore. IN order
that this agreement might be reached
in advance Of an arbitration. instead OF
being "A matter Of dispute after the srbi-
tration was held that both sides TO the
controversy waive the feature Of com
pcnsaton for respective appointecs on the
Arbitration Commission.
The last section OF tho articles read.
we propose that the right OF appeal by
either the employer or the employees from
the award OF tho arbitratprs 10 the fed
oral courts be- waived and that any award
reached by the said arbitrator shah he
final"
After the communication had been read
the railroad managers retired and con
fcrred. Returning TO the conference room,
Mr.. Ice Informed Mr.. Carter that IN"
railroads were in favor OF arbitration
similar TO that followed In tho case OF the
locomotive engineers. Objection to srci-
tration under the Erdman act was not
la sed upon the time limit for reaching .
decision as set forth In Mr.. Carter's lei
ter. but that thc railroads were opposed
TO tie placing Of decision OF so much
importance In the hands Of one man
The railroads will reply in fun at the
next conference this afternoon.