The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-18


The roads, however, while insisting
that their demand is an equitable one,
have agreed to meet Seth Low, presi-
dent of the National Civic Federation,
who has interested himself in the
mems behalf, and hear his presentation
of reasons why the railroad representa-
tives should yield the point Mr. Low
will be heard by the conference this
afternoon.
Sure To Drive Out Men.
The trainmen declare in their letter
that the railroads, in insisting upon
arbitration of their own grievances at
this time, could have not selected no
surer way of driving the men from the
service.
The sincerity of the roads is ques-
toned by the employees, who point
out that prior to the mediation con-
ference with the President last Mon
day no intimation was given by the
roads that they purposed to air their
demands before the Federal arbitra-
ton body. The present attitude of
the roads is characterized in the letter
as fragrant violation of faith"
Copies of the letter that the train
men submitted to the roads last night
were mailed to President Wilson,
every member of the Senate and the
House and to all the conferes at the
meeting attended by the President.
After giving a resume of the contro.
versy, the letter emphasizes that when
the railroads consented to join the
White House conference the only mat.
ter of dispute pending was the train.
mems wage demand. In this connec-
ton the letter points out that in prac-
tically all existing agreements be-
tween roads and men there is a pro-
vision that if either side desires an
amendment of a regulation thirty
days notice to the other side is re-
quired. In asking arbitration affect
ing several agreements now in force
the railroads did not give such notice,
the trainmen set forth.
To Insist On Conference.
The employees said last night that
they will wait only for the Senate's
confirmation of the Presidents ap-
pointments before insisting upon a
conference forthwith at which they
will present their wage demands. If
the roads then submit their grievances
to the Federal board, the men, so
they declare, will decline to sign the
stipulation and will strike
instead.
Lee and Garretson expressed salts.
faction at the personnel of the media
ton and Cancellation board the Presl-
dent selected. No better appointments
could have been made, they said.
The committee representing the
trainmen and conductors on the Erie
road, which road withdrew from par
in the arbitration negotia-
tons, after announcing it could not
afford to grant better wages, will meet
here today The question of calling
strike on this system probably will
be deferred until the outcome of the
present deadlock is known.
Previous to the statement by Lee
md Garretson, the attitude of the men
IN the railroads position in demand
ng arbitration of their own grievances
vas expressed in milder form in a
etter by Seth Low to Elisha Lee. Mr..
Low sought and obtained the priv.
lsee OF a hearing before the railways.
managers to make mediative sugges-
ions regarding what questions are to
be agreed upon for arbitration. He
commented upon the fact that the pres.
INT attitude Of the roads was adopted
subsequent to the conference with
the President