Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-19
Eastern Railroads
Willing to Abide by
Boards Decision.

New York, July 18.-The Eastern
railroads engaged in a wage contro-
versy with their $4,000 trainmen and
conductors indicated, tonight, their
Willingness to leave with the Board of
Mediation and Cancellation appoint
ed by President Wilson the decision as
to which questions are to be submitted
for arbitration under the Newlands
amendment to the Erdman act
In a letter to the leaders of the
trainnen the conference committee of
managers said it seemed to them
that the immediate difference of
opinion relating to the points to be
submitted for arbitration. is matter
to be considered by the Board of Medi-
alton and Cancellation"
The managers had reference to their
demands that all questions of pay and
working conditions be settled along
with the mems demand for better
wages.
A finite statement that the roads
would abide by the Mediation Boards
decision even if il ruled out all but the
trainmen's present demands was lack
ing in the managers letter, tonight.
The managers i'm their letter of July
16 setting forth their eight grievances
referred to them as the ones which the
railroad "intend" to have ineorporat-
ed in the agreement to arbitrate. The
roads in their letter to the men. to-
night, while describing their position
as unchanged expressed themselves as
willing" to refer their demands to the
Mediation Board.
President Lee of the Brotherhood of
Trainmen commented upon the change
in wording He expressed belief that
a comparison of phraseology of the
two letters indiea ted that Il modifca-
ton of the roads position has taxi
en- place within the iasi As hours.
In their letter the managers quoted
from the record of the meeting be-
tween the conference committee and
the trainmens officials. July Is. when
A. b. Garretsou. president of the Or
der Of Railway Conductors, had ask
ed that the mems attitude in regard
te the mediation be not misunderstood.
I'VE among ourselves the record
quoted MIR. Garretson as saying.
Have not discussed the questions of
bringing mediators in. l will say to
you frankly that this condition might
readily arise; that if disagreement
formulating the stipulations which the
Newland bill calls for, that it would
undoubtedly be desirable thing to
do"
The managers apparently quoted this
with the intention of showing that the
trainmen themselves had suggested
possible differences in framing the ar
hitration stipulations anu had regard
i.t hnd
10 which such differences should be
referred.
Both the managers and the trainmen's
committee will hold conferences, tomor-
row morning. the men to discuss the let
ter received. tonight. from the roads.
Both sides are marking time pending the
calling of a meeting with the Mediation
Board after its members have been con-
firmed by the Senate. The men reiterat-
ed their purpose to demand that TINS
meeting be held at once and Indicated
that a strike would be called within u
hours after if the roads refused to sign a
stipulation that only the mems demand
was to be submitted for arbitration. The
men hope the meeting of the board can
be held. Monday.
Seth Low. president of the National
Civic Federation. addressed the railroad
managers in conference, today. He urg-
ed them to abandon any thought of sub
hitting their grievances to arbitration
at this time.
The trainmen's representatives of the
Erie system, which road withdrew from
the controversy after declaring that 1t
could not afford to raise wages. did not
hold their announced meeting, today. 1t
was explained that, until 1t has been de-
termined which questions are to be sub
mitted for arbitration, the Erie is in the
same position as the other roads. I'm
til this point is settled the Erie repre-
sentatives will take no strike action, 1t
was announced.