Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-07-09
INVITES STRIKE.
Continued from Page one.)

Erie Railroad and its two subsidi-
aries, the New Jersey & New York,
Susauehannah & Western, withdrew.
having ~ roads in the conference.
The Erie system claims that the IN
crease demanded represents cost 10
the three roads of 81. .20o.0 600 and that the
system in paying this sum would suffer
IN safety appliances and equipment.
The conference committee of managers
will meet. next Monday. to consider the
decision of the employees general COM
mittee. The railroads are then expected
to- make their uitimatum.
ItFwas said. today. that at no time dur
ing the system was the Erdman arbitra-
non act mentioned, but comment among
railroad officials and union representa-
tiyes, tonight, showed a general expecta-
fion that the men would appeal for ar
bdtration before definitely declding to
walk out. Both sides to the controversy
have expressed belief that the present
fhree. men mediation under the Erdman
act is dangerous, in that it places too
much responsibility on the deciding vote,
When two of the members fail to agree.
1 New York, July S.-Ninety-four per
cent. of the membership of the Broth
Arhood OF Railroad Trainmen and of
the Order, Of Railway Conductors out
ef 76,6S3 participating in q strike vote
fn the wage dispute with the Eastern
railroads are in favor Of a strike.
These figures were announced, today.
ct joint meeting of union representa-
lives and a committee Of railroad
managers
When the conference convened the
Erie Railroad announced that it had
withdrawn from the proceedings, on
the ground that it would be unable
10 meet any advance which might re-
suit This practically invites strike.
The Erie statement was signed by
J. C. Stuart. vice president, and says
in part:
..Similar proceedings 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
80 at present. The wage increase de-
Inand amounts to 25, per cent. or a
total annual cost. on the basis of pres
ent figures, of practically a,2o0.O0o."
The statement goes on to say that
certain representatives of the pub
lie" have said that manufacturers and
business men In general are in SYM
pathy with the roads under existing
conditions and are willing to concede
an, increase in freight rates SO that
it. would be possible for the roads to
improve their facilities, but are decid
Il k<.,Ftrx at..r
freight rates Simply to increase the
wages of organized labor, which is be-
ing fairly and properly compensated.
The Erie says it is willing to con-
slider wages and conditions of indivie-
siais but viii not agree TO any general
sfBcrease-to anv class of employees at
THE sacrifice of needed safety appli-
ances and improved equipment. If
this demand and those which will fol-
low are to be conceded as they have
been in the past" says the statement.
the officials Of the Erie company cam
not be expected TO join in its spola-
ton Therefore we have to decline
any further participation in the pro-
ceedings under present conditions
After the unions had submitted the
resaits OF the strike yate and reiterat-
ed their demands, the conference nd
jaHrp.d. President A. B. Garretsan. for
the conductors. and W. G. Lee. for the
frainmen. then announced that con-
ference OF unien heads from all the
roads involved would he heid lere. on
saturday. AT which the strike vots
wos,Ij he confirmed and a course oi
action adopted. The result will be re-
ported IL the railroads, Monday.
With reference 10 the Erie. Mr. Les
said that that roads withdrawal would