New-York tribune., 1913-07-24
RAILROADS WAIVE THREE
OF THEIR GRIEVANCES
Urge Right to Have Others Ar
bitrated at Conference with
Federal MediatorS.
MEN CHAFE AT DELAYS
Say 1t Is Costing Them $1,000
a Day and Want Night Ses-
sions-Insist Demands of
Railroads Be Excluded.

At the conference between the federal
board of mediation and conciliation and
the conference committee Of railroad
managers, the representatives of the rail-
roads offered yesterday 10 withdraw three
OF their eight grievances The grievances
which they maintained should be arbi-
trated with those of the men, it was be-
lieved, were:
That a minimum days wage in any
lass of service entities the railroad TO
cuH mileage or hours paid for.
That in no case double compensation be
paid.
That the same classification be applied
to all members of the crew in fixing the
basis of compensation. E., whether pas
senger, through or local freight, yard, etc.
That rates and rules awarded by this
arbitration supersede rates and rules now
in effect which are i'm conflict Herewith.
That consideration be given to a reduc-
ton Of existing rates of pay of yard
brakemen and passenger conductors and
trainmen on long continuous runs where
there is a opportunity TO make excessive
mileage in a limited number of hours.
The three grievances that the managers
offered TO withdraw were said to be the
following:
That all monthly guarantees be abol-
ished.
That employees in two or more classes Of
service on continuous duty or under con-
tinuous pay be paid the rates applicable
TO the different services performed, with
a minimum equal TO ten hours at the low
est rate.
That on passenger and freight trains in
states where full crews are required the
rate OF pay for all brakemen shall be 20
per cent below rates established for
brakemen not affected by such laws.
Railroads Present Their Case.
The conference lasted four hours, and
the railroad managers used every argu-
ment TO show the justice and reasonable
ness Of their demands Neither W. G.
Lee. head OF the trainmen's union, nor
A. 3. Garretson, head Of the conductors,
would comment on what took place at
the conference between the railroad man.
ayers and the federal arbitrators. They
said their position had been made clear,
that under no circumstances would the
conductors and trainmen consent TO the
eight grievances Of the railroads, or any
OF them, being arbitrated with those OF
the men.
Some Of the conductors and trainmen
expressed themselves as far from pleased
with the manner in which the mediators
were handling the situation. They were
of opinion that time had been wasted.
The trouble with some people in this
world" said one Of the leaders, is that
their minds run on freight trains, and
there are others who when they have
little thinking TO do switch over TO
siding. AS a result some f US suffer.
What chafes the men is that each days
delay costs them an additional $1,000. To
date they say the dispute has cost them
SEQ, 500. One of their leaders pointed out
that there were one hundred members
of the executive committee stopping at
hotels in this city, each losing an aver
age Of s6 In wages and spending as much
more in living expenses. Also that there
were about one thousand members of the
grievance committee idle waiting word
TO either call a strike or return TO work.
They can't return to work until we
know that arbitration is possible" he
said, "and the federal mediators don't
seem 10 be worrying much They can
go along the Great White Way or else
where and have a good time while we
have to perspire in stuffy rooms waiting
until II is over There are no moving
picture shows or other attractions for us
This leader declared he could see no
reason why the federal mediators could
not hold night sessions TO hasten their
work
But what does II matter TO them that
to date the men have lost almost 100000"
he asked. Each time one of them goes
10 a moving picture show II is Just so
many more thousands Of dollars out of
our pockets"
G. w w Hanger. OF the mediation
board. who has had little experience I'm
labor disputes. has been appointed press
representative. He was not quite clear
as to his duties when he received the
newspaper men last night I'm the Man
haitian Hotel. and when asked whether
the committee intended TO hold evening
conferences he said he was not sure. He
said two conferences had been held dur
ing the day-one with the men and an
other with the managers.
Come back and see me at o'clock"
he said. 'Tf I am here will tell you If
we are going to hold conference, and If
! am not here you may assume that no
conference is being held"
Mr. Hanger was not there at o'clock
but II is believed he will be present this
morning at 10 o'clock when conference
between men and mediators will be held