New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-16
F|REMEN TO TAKE
BALLOT ON STRIKE
Efforts of MediatorS to End
Wage Dispute with Eastern
Roads Come to Naught,
II Is Announced.
FIND NO COMMON GROUND
Men Absolutely Refused to Con-
sidnr Railroads Offer of Arbi-
tration-Wculd Not "Jeop-
ardize" Interests by Fol
lowing Engineers.

afolZe interests py FOL
lowing Engineers.
Efforts by Martin a. Knapp, presid-
ing judge Of the United States Com
merce Court, and Charles p. Neill,
United States Commissioner of Labor,
10 settle the dispute between the rail-
roads in the Northeastern section of
The United States and the members of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen have failed
With the announcement by Commits
sioner Neil that proceedings had been
dismissed because Il was apparent that
the controversy had not reached point
at which mediation could be under
taken with much prospect of success
CAME a brief statement from William
:. Carter, president of the brotherhood,
that strike ballots were being pre-
pared last night. to be distributed at
once to the men employed on the lines
involved
The call for strike ballot affects
about thirty-five thousand men. en-
plOyed on fifty-four railroads operating
in the territory east of Chicago and
north of the Ohio and Potomac rivers.
one Of the interesting phases of the
situation is the fact that there are
about ten thousand locomotive engi-
neers involved in the controversy.
This situation is brought about by the
great number of men. who. when pro-
NOTED from firemen to engineers. main
tain their membership i'm the fremen's
organization. These engineers, as well
as the firemen, will receive ballots. and.
accord to Mr.. Carter, will undoubtedly
vote to strike
For almost week Judge Knapp and
Commissioner Neill have been in this
city comforting with the representatives
Of the railroads and a committee rep
resenting the firemen's organization.
They hoped 10 find a middle ground
upon which the matters in dispute
could be settled by arbitration The
modiators came to this city at the
Joint request of the railroad managers
end the fremen's committee. Prior 10
the arrival Of the mediators. the rail
road managers and the firemen failed
q agree on any terms that might / s.
sibly bring about an adjustment of the
dispute.
Both Sides Seek Peace.
II became apparent early in the
mediation proceedings that it was futile
to attempt to adjust the questions at
issue Therefore. the mediators turned
their attention exclusively to bringing
about a method Of arbitration that
would he satisfactory to both sides.
Both sides want the dispute settled by
arbitration. but mp to the present time
they have been unable to agree.
Before Judge Knapp and Commits
sioner Neil were invited TO act as
mediators President Carter informed
the railroad managers that in view Of
the fact that ii was impossible to ad-
ont outside aid he proposed that the
controversy be submitted TO arbitIa-
ton under the Erdman act, waving
the mediation features Of that statute.
The railroads replied that they were
satisfied with arbitration, but they in
sisted on arbitration 10y board Of the
same size and appointed under the
same conditions as the one which arbi-
fad 10 . 10. tl.s
point that both sides have been at
deadlock for nearly two weeks
President Carter and the committee
representing the firemen in the Eastern
territory are bitterly opposed to sub
hitting the dispute 10 such am arbitra-
ton board While announcing last night
that the organization Of hremen is now
proceeding to distribute strike ballots
10 the members Of the organization
Mr. Carter gave out two letters-one tC
Elisha Lee, chairman of the conference
committee Of managers. and the other
10 Judge Knapp and Commissioner
Neil. the mediators--in which. with
out mincing words Mr.. Carter set forth
the position OF the men as regards sub.
hitting their requests to an arbitration
board other than that provided by law
In the letter to the mediators. sem
yesterday. Mr.. Carter said that. in
view of the earnest efforts on the part
of the mediators TO bring about al
amicable adjustment Of the wage dis
quite he believed II was due them that
the fremen should explain why they
have been unable TO agree upon any
other form OF arbitration than thai
specifically provided by Congress
Firemen Want To Be Liberal.
In his letter to the medators Mr.
Carter said.
As stated to You during these confer
cnces ii has not been disposition OF
tho part OF our committee TO quibbl'
that has prevented US from agreeing
upon some departure from the fedora
"A larger number Of arbitrators. so ions
properly balanced. our committee wouiC
not hesitate to accept such provision
As stated TO EOu. our committee agrees
that the period of thirty days. provided
bv the present law, may not afford sufh
cient time 10 properly consider all evi
dence submitted i'm matters OF grea
Ia, ny