The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-14
Conference With President in
Hope of Solution.
AN ARBITRATION AMENDMENT
Without Improvement on Erd-
man Law Strike Likely.
Present Act Leaves Too Much
on One Mans Decision.

4NSW 1Orh, July 1f.-Ine eastern ran
roads involved in the wage controversy
with the trainmen and conductors is
sued a statement this afternoon
through the conference of managers,
saying they were willing to arbitrate
the questions at issue under the pro-
visions of the Newlands bill now before
congress but were still unwilling to
proceed under the Erdman act. This
is the roads reply to the ultimatum
submitted by the unions yesterday.
Inc statement says that the commit
tees policy has never changed, that it
has consistently refused Ito be coerced
through threats of strikes and into pay
ing railroad employees wages out OF
all proportion to the duties performed"
The managers have been consistent in
contending that the Erdman act does
not protect the interest of all parties
concerned.
The reply is addressed to Messrs.
Lee and Garretson, heads of the train
men and conductors organizations re-
spectively and is signed by Elish Lee
chairman.
Washington, July 14.-The unions are
willing to meet the railways in an ef-
fort to settle all differences by means
of arbitration under the NeWland
amendments to the Erdman act, ac-
cording to the announcement of A. B.
Garretson and w. G. Lees, heads OF
railway trainmen, who are here to at
tend the White House conference. The
announcement of the railway manager,
they said, was a complete reversal of
their previous declaration not to arbi-
trate.
New York, July 14-Labor leaders
and railway heads looked forward to
a favorable outcome at Washington of
the conference with President Wilson.
officers of the National Civic Fedora
ton, railroad representatives and Of
ficers of the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen and Order of Railway Con-
ductors were to seek a solution of the
crisis, involving the demand for higher
wages by 10O,0 600 men on 45 eastern
roads. The roads having refused to
arbitrate under the Erdman act in it's
present form, and the employees haV-
ing refused to modify their demands,
apparently the only compromise pos
sible lay in alteration of the law by
increasing the number of arbitratorS
from three to six, thus removing the
railroads chief objection to the act.
With a strike authorized by an over
whelming majority and ratified by a
general committee of both unions,
Presidents Lee and Garretson of the
trainmen and conductors respectively,
were authorized last night to defer
calling a walkout pending the outcome
of the Washington conference. Both
left for Washington last night
In New York today there was to be
a meeting of the managers confer
ence committee at which yesterdays
decision by the union was to be sub
mitted.
No Preparation for Tieup.
The Order of Railway Conductors
and the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen have announced their read
mess to call a strike of 10000 men
on AZ eastern railroads, Immediately
Of fhni
sentatives and railroad managers with
President Wilson at the White House
today, if it is without result favorable
to arbitration. 1t appears that but
few railroad centers have made any
preparation for tie-up of the trains
Dispatches from a dozen Of the
principal cities east of the Mississippi
river report confidence prevailing
the strike will not be called, or If
such action be taken, the tie-up will
be of such short duration that no ex-
traordinary precautions against fam
inc are necessary. In Boston, Phfla-
delphia and this city the trouble would
be met in a measure by water trans
portation and also at some of the
Ohio river points. The milk delivery
would be the most serious matter, all
points report and officials of the
unions declare, if a strike were or
dered. no recognition would be given
any special class of trains. that all
would be affected alike
Those Attending Conference.
Washington, July 14.-Whether a
strike of trainmen and conductors of
the eastern railroads may be avoided
was the subject of a conference at the
White House today between President
Wilson and Representatives of the en-
ployees and the railroads concerned.
President Wilson, Secretary Wilson,
Chairman Newlands of the senate
interstate commerce committee, Chair
man Clayton of the house judiciary
committee, and Republican Leader
Mann represented the government;
Presidents Sam Rea of the Pennsyl-
vania; Daniel Willard of the Baltimore
& Ohio; George w. Stevens of the G.
& O.: w. c. Brown of the New York
Central lines and Frank Trumbull,
chairman of the board of the c. & O.,
represented the railways. Presidents
A. B. Garretson of the Order of Rail-
way Conductors. and w. G. Lee of the
brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen,
represented the employees. Seth
Lowe president of the Civic Fedora
ton which has endorsed the Newlands
provide arbitration of railroad dis
puteS III a manner satisfactory to the
railroad men, also was expected to
take part in the conference.
Today's Conference.
Washington, July 14.-Today's con-
ference between the railroad men and
President Wilson is concerning chiefly
two bills pending in congress for
amendment of the Erdman act provid-
ing means for arbitration of wage dis
puteS.
1t is understood both the brother
hood and the railways are satisfied
with the NewIands bill, already pass
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