New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-09
ROADS DEFY MEN;
STRIKE IMMINENT
Continued from first page.

conductors and trainmtn will go out on
strike with the rest Of US. AS far as
we are concerned we do not recognize
any change in the situation with the
Erie. The Erie went into a Jackpot
and she can't get a share Of the kitty
now"
President Stuarts letter to
Elisha Lee was in part as follows:
The Erie, New Jersey & New York
and the New York. Susquehanna &
Western Railroad companies hereby
formally withdraw from the conference
committee which Is dealing with the
wage increase demanded by the con-
territory.
similar proceedings have in the past
resulted in increased wages, and while
it may be possible for some roads 10
meet these increases, the Erie Railroad
Company is not in a position TO do so
al present. The wage increase de-
manded Of II amounts 10 an increase Of
- per cent, or a total annual cost on
the basis Of the present business Of APP
proximately S1.2O0.Oc0.
TO offset this increase without dis
turbing the net earnings ION the basis
Of 1912 II would be necessary TO in
crease the force and handle an addi-
tional volume Of traffic representing a
gross annual increase of 81 1877, 13j.
Full Crew Men Benefit.
THE employees making the present
demands are the best paid, as a class,
Of any Of the Erie Railroad. They re-
ceived substantial increase in 1910.
The orbit has been completed, and the
present demand Is the beginning Of q
new cycle. II has frankly been stated
that If the conductors and trainmen
receive the increase asked for all other
organizations will promptly follow.
The New York State Law, effective
September T. 1913, stipulates that an
additional brakeman, known a a fun
crew brakeman, for which the railroad
officials can find no occupation, must be
placed on certain trains.
His rate w; be the same as the
brakeman cited, so that the present
wage demand contemplates an increase
Of % per cent 10 full crew brake
man who has not yet been placed IN
service, or whose real value has never
been developed. This will appeal even
10 a layman as a most unusual and UNI
fair proceeding.
"WhIle the co psny Is willing to con-
slider the wages or conditions OF .indi-
yiduals. il will not agree TO general
increase to any class Of employees until
safety appliances. such as block sig
nals steel cars and greater facilities
have been provided and the net earn
ings Justify further wage increases.
"If this demand and those which Will
follow are TO be conceded as they nave
been in the past, the officials OF the
Erie Company, who are held RESPONSE
bic both by the public and the owners,
cannot be expected to join in its spolia-
ton. therefore VIC have TO decline a
further participation in the proceedings
under the present conditions.
The withdrawal OF the Erie taxes
with II its subsidiaries, the New Jersey
g. New York Railroad. which does
principally a committing business up
The west side Of the Hudson River and
tho New York, Susquehanna e. West
ern. The number of conductors and
traInmen on the Erie system is about
$3.50.
The two presidents Of the railroad
organizations made IT plain to the rail-
road managers at the morning con-
ference that the men would get ther
undivided approval TO leave the service
Of the railroads II the managers wouid
not negotiate further. w. o. Lee OF
the trainmen's brotherhood, accused
The managers of desiring a great oesi
~ publicity in the present controversy
because of the request made recently
l,v the railroads for an increase IN
freight rates.
Elisha Lee. chairman OF the man
ayers committee. issued statement