New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-15
WILSON TRIES HAND At
MEDIATION IN S.P. STRIKE
Commissioner Chambers and
Assistant Ordered to Take
Up Case at Once.
KRUTTSCHNITT SEES PERIL
Railroad Asked to Buy Peace
with Employees at Safety Of
Public, He Says-Com-
mission Rules It's Guide.

WASHINGTON, Nov 14-Presdent Wilson
sent word tonight to w. Lea Chambers,
Commissioner of Mediation and Concilia-
ton. then in New York, TO get In touch
with the strike situation on the Southern
Pacific line as quickly as possible. Mr..
Chambers Immediately started on his re-
turn TO this city.
The President called the attention ear
lier in the day of Assistant Commissioners
Hanger. Of the Board of Mediation ana
Cancellation. to the serious embarrass-
ment to traffic resulting from the strike
of trainmen and enginemen. and urged
him TO go to New Orleans to arrange for
mediation, IL possible.
New Orleans Nov. 14.-Except for two
transcontinental passenger trains, one ar
irving and one leaving here to-day, trafhc
on the Southern Pacific Railway in Lou
isana is tied up by the strike OF engine
men and trainmen. An embargo has been
placed on freight, and the road VIII not
attempt to operate freight trans WINE
all messenger trains but the two through
trains have been annulled indefinitely. NOT
even perishable freight will be handled.
Union officials at a meeting to-day toid
the men that attempts at violence wou'd
mean expulsion of the perpetrators from
the union. They predict that the strike
will spread to the West.
With the loss of millions OF dollars
staring sugar and rice producers OF Lou
isiana in the face because of the strike
business men here to-day through COM
mittee sent a long message to President
Wilson appealing to him personally 10
intervene to help settle the strike, ana
learned with pleasure that Assistant COM
missioner Hanger was coming.
Cane producers are in the midst or mar
vesting a large crop. Should frost come
before II is hauled to the mills the loss
will be heavy. The Southern Pacihc
traverses probably the richest cane sec
ton in the United States
Union officers said that should the gov
eminent need Southern Pacific trains 10
move troops the strikers would man them
if the company desired.
Houston. Tex, Nov H-Some person
started a passenger engine to-day, letting
If run wild in the local yards until 1t
was derailed. and I'm another part OF the
CITY a GdTlOdu VI NpNNOii "oS
Union leaders say strict measures VIII be
taken to prevent violence on the part Oh
strike sympathizers.
In statement given out last evening
Julius Kruttschnitt, chairman OF the
Southern Pacific, denied that the strike
on the company's Sunset Central Lines
was a result, as said by the employees, or
the refusal OF the railroad company u
meet and discuss with their representa-
tlves the question of modifying or chahs-
ing the agreements for the settlement
OF grievances by providing for cooper
alive and Joint committee and giving
such committee Jurisdiction over the SUD-
ject.
The demand which the Southern Pa
cife refused, according to Mr.. krutt-
schnitt was that the company shouiu
meet such a committee for the purpose
Of considering. discussing and settling
certain specified cases Of grievances
sixty-seven in number, some already set
tied. some in course OF settlement anu
some presented for the first time Dut all
covered by the contracts with each Or
eanization representing the conductors
engineers. firemen and trainmen.
ION October Il. 1919" added Mr.. Krutt-
echritt. "a communication, signed by the
grand officers of the four organizations
submitted a list of sixty-seven alleged
grievances The list includes requests
for reinstatement OF employees who have
been dismissed for INSTRUMENTATION, in
competency, gross carelessness, use OF
GibflifV for ACGl
dents Four of the cases presented de-
mand reversals OF decisions previously
accepted by the regularly constituted
representatives OF the organizations.
Tests Are Imperative.
Requests are made for privileges not
heretofore enjoyed Attempt is made TO
force back into service men who have
been dismissed for declining to make out
reports rendered necessary by the fed-
eral boiler inspection and safety april
ance laws The company is asked to
discontinue the practice of periodical eX-
aminations of train and engine men on
timetable and train rules and re-eXami-
nation of engineers as TO knowledge OF
their locomotives.
Protests are made against re-eXami-
nation of train and engine men on color.
perception sight and hearing-re-eXaml-
nations that are most important and nee
essary. indeed in cases where they have
been found lacking on other railroads. as
developed In the investigation of serious
train accidents, the duty of the railroad
rnsnagement regardless of demands of
organizations, has been very clearly de-
fined by both federal and state investi-
eating bodies.
Another practice listed as a grievance
&c the method employed in making eff
cheney or surprise tests. These consist
I'm checking employees In observance OF
danger signals. tagging, observance or
speed limits and all other rules, the dis
regarding of which may at any moment
cause loss OF life. The character OF these
tests has been carefully prescribed so as
10 avoid any risk to the employe tested.
MANY hundreds Of these tests made
monthly on other parts OF our system
show that, with proper attention to the
| rnles. the percentage OF failures should
he less than one-half OF 1 per cent
"IHor the year 1918 the percentage OF fail
| ures by the men who have gone on strike
was so per cent. or ten times what may
he considered fairly satisfactory. 1t is pf
little use after disaster TO plead that the
observation OF signals and rules is good;
u must be substantially perfect. Acct
dents are always due to the very small
number of cases where the signals are not
| observed.
! c,rp,;ssion RULINGS the Guide.