The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-09
CONDUCTORS ON 45
EASTERN ROADS
VOTE TO QUIT
Demand For Higher Wages A.
most Unanimous
ANOTHER MEETING SATURDAY
Generally Believed that Strike VIII
Be Called Unless Companies
Make Concessions.


es ceased Yesterday between 40
eastern railroads and 100000 mem
hers of the order of railroad conduc-
tors and of the brotherhood OF ran,
road trainmen after the employees
representatives in conference WIN
the railroad managers announced
that "a per cent of the men hao
voted to strike for increased wages.
Final action on the proposed ue-up
remains with the general committee
of 1000 of the conductors and train
mems organizations, and meeting
has been called for Saturday. IL Is
the unanimous opinion in operating
circles that the strike vote Will De
ratified unless the companies mean
while offer to pay more wages, OF
agree TO submit the dispute to arbi-
tration.
During the negotiations yesterday
the Erie railroad and its two suDsi-
diaries, the New Jersey and New
York and the New York, Susque-
hanna and Western, withdrew, leay-
ing AZ roads in the conference. me
Erie system claims that the Increase
demanded represents an annual cost
to the three roads of $1,20O,O0O, and
that the system in paying this sum
would suffer in safety appliances
and equipment. The conference COM
mittee of managers will meet Mon
day to consider the decision OF the
employees general committee. The
railroads are then expected to make
their usual ultimatum.
1t was said yesterday that at no
time during the season was the Eru-
| man arbitration act mentioned, put
comment among railroad officials
and union representatives last night
showed a general expectation that
the men would appeal for arbitration
before definitely deciding to walk
out. Both sides to the controversy
have expressed a belief that the
present three-men mediation under
| the Erdman act is dangerous, In
| that it places too much responsible
w on the deciding vote when two or
| the members fail to agree. For this
reason the course in Congress OF a
bill amending the Erdman act by in
creasing the number OF arbitrators Is
being watched with interest 1t was
only under sharp protest that the
| railroads, in the recent dispute with
their firemen, consented TO arbitrate
| under the Erdman act as 1t now
| stands. They have already in the
present wage controversy with the
conductors and trainmen, declined
one proposition for arbitration under
| that law.
The Erie issued a statement sign
| ed by ]. G. Stewart, yice-presldenI
! which says in part: Similar pro
| ceedings in the past have resulted in
increased wages, and while it may
| be possible for some roads to meet
these increases, the Erie railroad is
not in position to do so at present.
| The wage increase demand amounts
to % per cent, or a total annual cost
on the basis of present figures OF
practically s1,200,00O."
The statement goes on TO say that
certain representatives of the pub
lie" have said that manufacturers
and business men in general are in
sympathy with the roads under ex-
listing conditions and are willing to
concede an increase in freight rates,
so that 1t would be possible for the
railroads to improve their facilities,
but are decidedly opposed to paying
any greater freight rates simply TO
increase the wages of organized la
Dor, which is being fairly and prop
erly compensated"
The Erie says it is willing to con
slider wages and conditions of indi.
viduals, but will not agree to any
general increase to any class of EN-
ployes at the sacrifice of needed safe
ty appliances and improved equip
ment. 'If this demand and those
which will follow are TO be conced
ed as they have been in the past,
says the statement. 'the officials OF
the Erie company cannot be expect
ed to join in its spoliatiOns There
fore we have to decline any further
participation In the proceedings un
der the present conditions"
In reference to the withdrawal OF
the Erie railroad T. II. O'Brien, rep
resenting the train men Of that rail
road, said last night: The Erie men
will insist upon a compliance with
their demands for a wage increase
and unless the Erie meets theiI
demands the men will strike"