New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-27
RAILROADS YIELD ON
ARBITRATION DEMANDS
In Interest OF Peace Withdraw
Their Grievances and Sign
Agreement.
STRIKE DANGER AVERTE0
Each Side to Name Two Men
and They Will Pick Two
More-Award to Date
from October !


from October /.
\ strike of the conductors and train
men was averted yesterday afternoon,
when the railroad managers withdrew
their demand that their grievances be
included for consideration by the pro-
posed arbitration board The articles
Of agreement cmbodyins the questions
to he arbtrated were signed by the
managers and the employees represcn-
tatives. Details of the amicablo pro-
oedure we're specified. and the results
Of the arbitration are to go in effect on
October !.
In their letter , thdrawing their de-
mands the inclusion Of which in the
negotiations was the point over which
the contestants were dcadlocked. the
railroad managers stated that their ac-
ton was taken only to protect the pub
lie from a strike. but intimation is
made that when the employees griev-
anccs are settled the railroads VIII
again present theirs for adjustment.
The sudden abandonment Of the rail-
roads demands came after relations
between the striving bodies had
reached breaking point. The en-
ploycs' representatives told the media
Tors they could not hold the union
members in check if delay continued.
Until the labor officials received the
news that their victory was complete
there was a possibility that the con-
ductors and trainmcn would bolt the
negotiations. To stave of a strike the
conference committee Of managers
communicated with their superiors and
obtained permission to withdraw the
railroad contentious.
Letter Of the Managers.
The letter to the mediation board was
presented by Elisha Lee, chairman of
the railroad managers. al the begin
ming of the morning session al the
Manhattan Hotel. The letter said:
To preclude the possibility Of an
other crisis such as this arising when
the railroads should desire TO have
considered important questions relative
10 the pay and working conditions Of
conductors and treinmen, the confer
ence committee of managers on JUS
lG announced that in the interests Of
the public a. whole these matters
which were given IN detail-shoulG be
passed upon by the board which would
arbitrate the demands Of the conduc-
tors and trainmen for increases in pay.
The managers committee has never
refused TO aroitrate the demands of
the men under the provisions Of the
Newlands act, but they thought that
in all fairness. matters which the rail-
roads desired passed upon should be
considered at the same time. They
presented eight questions Of inequity
and excessive wages that the railroads
felt should be corrected.
The right to include these in the
agreement TO arbitrate was denied by
the men: they also declined to let the
United States Board of Mediation and
Cancellation decide whether those mat
tiers should be arbitrated they then
refused the suggestion Of the railroads
10 arbitrate the question Of the intro
ductiOn of these matters, and an
} ounced that unless the railroads with
drew their requests a strike would be
called.
1T is evident that the conductors
and trainmen's organizations would 90
10 the full extent Of subjecting the
country to the calamity that strike
on the Eastern railroads would cause
rather than have all matters pertain
ing TO the questions at issue submitted
to fair and comprehensive arbitration.
The railroads must protect the pub
lie. therefore, they waive their right
TO include their requests in the articles
Of agreement TO arbitrate at this time,
without prejudice TO any other rights
Of the railroads."
The reference TO the possibility of
another crisis" arising was consid-
cred as significant in connection with
the recital Of the extreme efforts made
10y the managers TO settle definitely the
eight questions they submitted.
Does this mean that the railroads
will bring the questions up later"
Elisha Lee was asked.
That is a question which | cannot
nswer now" he said 1T has not been
decided
Refers to Employees Letter.
When Judge Martin 4. Knapp, Of the
board of mediation, was asked regard
ing this possibility he said:
The only answer / can make is TO
refer you 10 the answer made by the
conductors and trainmen TO the man
ayers letter"
The letter mentioned is one Of three
submitted several days ago as the en-
ployes' final statement Of their position.
After relating the first steps in the
passage OF the Newlsnds law, which
made the present agreement possible,
". 6. Lee, president Of the trainmen,
and 4. g. Garretson, president Of the
conductors, told Of the final conferences