The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-08
NVITES STRIKE
Erie Officials Withdraw From
Labor Conference.
Trainmen and Conductors Vote
Force Arbitration.

New York, July S.-Ninety-four per
cent of the members of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen and of the
Order of Railway Conductors, out OF
| 1868 participating in a strike vote in
| the wage dispute with the eastern rail-
ways are in favor of a strike. These
figures were announced today at a
joint meeting of union representatives
and a committee of railway managers.
The wage dispute between the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
and the Order of Railway Conductors,
on one hand, and 81 eastern railroads
on the other, took the form of a con-
ference today at which the union lead
ers were to announce the result of a
strike vote recently taken among the
1000 men involved.
1t was conceded before the meeting
that the vote would be overwhelm-
ingly for a strike. This does not mean
that walkout will follow. however.
The unions hope to force arbitration
under the Erdman act, as was the
case in the firemen's demands. To this
proposal the roads violently object,
and it is not known what middle
ground can be reached unless con-
gress promptly amends the Erdman
law, increasing the board to six men,
berS. Both sides have endorsed such
a bill as superior to the present board
of three, which places heavy respon-
sibility on the shoulders of the third,
or neutral member.
When the conference convened the
Erie railroad announced that it had
withdrawn from the proceedings on
the ground that it would be unable to
meet any advance which might result.
This practically invites a strike.
The Erie statement, signed by J. c.
Stuart, vice president, says in part:
Similar proceedings in the past
have resulted in increased wages and
while it may be possible for some
roads to meet these increases, the Erie
railroad is not in position to do so
at present. The wage increase demand
amounts to 25 per cent. or total an
nual cost, on the basis of present fig
ures, of practically $1,200,000."
The Erie says it is willing to consider
wages and condition of individuals but
will not agree to any general increase
to any class of employees at the sac
rifice of needed safety appliances and
improved equipment.
After the unions had submitted the
result of the strike vote and reiter-
ated their demands, the conference ad-
journed. President A. B. Garretson,
for the conductors, and w. G. Lee, for
the trainmen, then announced that a
conference of union heads from all the
roads involved would be held Satur-
day at which the strike vote would be
confirmed and a course of action
adopted. The result will be reported
to the railroads Monday.
With reference to the Erie, Mr.. Lee
said that that roads withdrawal would
not necessarily mean that a strike
would be directed against it.
Washington, July Slack of a quo
rum in the house has for three weeks
prevented consideration of the Clayton
bill amending the Erdman act, and
until enough members return to Wash
ington no action on the bill can be
taken.
The house is working under an agree
ment which will prevent the considera-
ton of any business except by unani-
nous consent until July IA, and until
that date it is probable the considera-
ton of the Erdman act amendment will
be prevented.
The Erdman act bill has already pass
ed the senate in a slightly different
form to that reported by the house
committee