New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-02
ROADS REFUSE MORE PAY
FIatIy Deny Wage Demands Of
Conductors and Trainmen.
STRIKE VOTE NOW LIKELY
Managers Say Increase Would
Add S17,000,0O0 a Year to
Operating Cost of Lines.

Negotiations between the conference
committee OF the managers OF the East
ern railroads and the representatives Of
tho 10000 tralnmen and conductors en-
ployed by the lines. over the wage con-
troversy. reached a deadlock Yesterday.
with a threatened strike on the part of
the men. The railroad managers after
sending formal letter containing a fat
denial OF the requests made by the CON
ductors and tralnmen. stood pat at fur
Their conferences. and there appeared 10
be little hope OF a compromise.
The two interests were I'm conference
until late yesterday afternoon at the En-
eineering Societies Building at No. %
West 39th street. and adjourned for an
other conference at the same place to-
day at II a. m. \. r.. Garrettson. presi-
dent of the order OF Railway Cor ductors.
said after the conferences that the men
had answered orally the refusal OF the
managers at the afternoon conference.
and would present their ultmatum I'm
writing At to-day's conference. Mr.. Gar
rettson admitted II looked like a strike
The formal reply OF the railroad man
ayers denying the requests was sent in
the conference committee Of managers. 60
Mr.. Garrettson and w G. Lee president
of the brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
II was read at the morning conference.
II was an absolute denial. There was no
qualification about il. II puts the issue
squaroly up TO a strike vote on the part
Of the employees The railroads ccntendcd
that no conditions of work had arisen
since tho Clary- Morriscy award in 1910.
by which the conductors and trainmen
received an increase i'm wages amounting
TO approximately 100000 on the Eastern
roads. which would warrant any increase
I'm wages or change I'm working conditions
a. the present time.
I'm denying the demands the letter SAYS:
In view of the fact that the present
7 rates OF wages are liberal. and I'm many
cases excessive. the conference committee
OF managers, acting i'm the interests of
owners OF railroad securities. in the in
terests of all railroad employees, in the
interests Of the public as whole, must
decline your request
I'm note TO the press and public head
ing the managers letter OF denial they
declare that the roads I'm the Eastern part
Of the country are confronted with an
other wage movement. probably more
important than those Of the engineers and
fremen combined" The demands would
mean an additional increase Of Sl7ooo,0o
or - per cent a year. over the $50 coo 90
increase granted I'm 1910. according to the
railroad managers. The managers charge
that the Brotherhood OF Tranmen is
alone responsible for 'overtaAing" the
railroads with the full crew law and
other ill advised legislation"
II is understood that the represe natives
OF the employees. realizing the firm stand
taken by the managers. suggested arbl-
tration at the second conference yester-
day, Lut the committee OF managers re-
fused to listen to such proposition. The
railroads are believed TO he in a better
position to hold out against granting any
demands Of the conductors and trainmen
or Of agreeing 10 arbitrate. as they did I'm
the case of the engineers. and the firemen
because I'm the event Of strike their
places could more easily be filled.