The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-17

Demands in Form OF Letter
The roads demands tonight were is
sued in the form of letter made pub
lie shortly after it was sent to the
strike leaders Statements during the
day by the managers and trainmen
subsequent to a forenoon conference
were interpreted to mean that no dis
cussion was had as to any demands the
roads might be prepared to make. After
tonignts meeting of the managers
however, 1t was conceded that the chief
theme at the days meeting was the
roads announced intention to have all
questions" and not alone the train
mems wage demand, submitted to arbi-
tration. The day conference was a
stormy one, it is declared, and both
sides withdrew In less amicable mood
the managers to prepare the demands
announced tonight and the trainmen
to mark time pending the next move
of the roads
The demands of the roads are eight
in number. The letter containing them
read:
Referring to our letter of July II,
and to our conference this morning, we
hand you herewith for your informa-
tion a list of those questions concern
tions of conductors and trainmen which
the railroads intend to have incorpor-
ated in the agreement to arbitrate.
Il. When a. minimum days wage is
paid in any class of service 1t shall
entitle the railroad the full mileage or
hours of service paid for.
'2. In no case shall double compensa-
tion be paid.
''3. For fixing the basis of compensa-
It0n-fhaf
through or local freight, yard, etc.-the
same classification shall be applied to
all members of the train crew.
"a. All monthly guarantees shall be
abolished.
80. That consideration be given to a
reduction of existing rates of pay on
yard brakemen and of passenger con-
ductors and trainmen on long continu-
Gus runs where there is an opportunity
to make excessive mileage in a limited
number of hours.
"6. Employees in two or more classes
of service on continuous duty or under
continuous pay shall be paid the rates
applicable to the different services per-
formed with a minimum equal TO 10
hours at the lowest paid service.
u. On passenger and freight trains.
where under extra crew laws additional
men are required the rate of pay for
all brakemen shall be 20 per cent be-
low rates established for brakemen on
trains not affected by such laws
49, The rates and rules awarded by
this arbitration shall supercede rates
and rules now in effect which are in
conflict Herewith"
Unofficially trainmen leaders tonight
decuared that each of the rules the
roads want arbitrated is one which the
union succeeded in having recognized
only after a long struggle and several
of them are regarded by the men as
being as important as their wage de-
mands. Some of the employees repre-
sentatives expressed a belief that it
was the purpose of the roads to have
the arbitration board decide their
demands in such a manner as to take
off from the trainmen's wages an
amount equal to any increase that may
be awarded under their present demand
thus leaving the men no better off than
they are today.
1t would occasion no surprise, there
fore, in quarters where the progress
OF the dispute is being closely watched,
If the trainmen were to. assert EN-
phatically tomorrow their unwilling
ness TO submit TO arbitration any but
their own wage increase demands Be-
fore any arbitration stipulation can be
signed both sides must agree as to
what matters are to be arbitrated II
the roads refuse to agree to the franz
Ing of stipulation that does not pro
vide for arbitrating their demands and
IL the trainmen decide to insist upon
consideration of only the items in their
wage dispute, a deadlock of the whole
arbitration proceedings is the certain
result, representatives of both roads
and trainmen pointed out tonight.