Albuquerque morning journal., 1913-11-15
Julius Kruttschnitt Southern
PacifIc's Chairman, Gives
Out Lengthy Statement Of
Its Position,
FEDERAL ARBITRATION
IS ALSO SUGGESTED
President Sends Representa-
tive of Department Of Labor
to New Orleans to Aid in
Settling Difficulty

INN NnhNlHH JOURNAL OFFICIAL lNhHfn MlNEf
New York. Nov 1t-JuHus Krutt-
schnitt chairman OF tho executive
committee Of the Southern Pacific
announced this afternoon that the
railroad company was willing Go dis
cuss with a representative commit
tee Of the four labor organizations
now on strike the question Of luaugu-
rating q system OF dealing with cun-
troversies through % joint committee
representing an four organizations.
THE railroad is willing to discuss
with representative committee
from the four organizations concern
cd the question of inaugurating the
system of dealing with controversies
through "a joint committee represent
ing AN four organizations" says Mr.
Kruttschnitts statement; "and If no
agreement can be arrived at Go have
the controversy adjusted In the man
ner provided by the recent acc OF
congress.
1T Ga further willing 10 have the
controversy ovor its refusal to grant
the demands actually made adjusted
by the board of mediation and cun-
ciliation or hy arbitration aa provided
I'm the act of congress. More than this
cannot reasonably be required of &c.
"The demand which the railroad
company refused was that the come
pany shoald meet "a joint or co-oper-
alive committee for the purpose of
CONSIDERING, discussing ana settling
certain specified cases OF grievances
siXty-seven in number some already
settled. some IN course Of settlement
and some presented for the first time,
but all covered by the existing con-
tracts with each organization.
1T is one thing TO consent 10 take
UP and discuss with representatives
of the train and engine men whether
or not oXisting agreed methods for
dealing with grievances shall be
changed and new methods substltut-
ed which viii Involve the recognition
OF a Joint committee representing the
four ORGANIZATIONS 1t is another and
quite different thing to consent To
treat as abrogated the provisions OF
existing agreements relating 10 set
tlement Of grievances. To recognize a
cooperative committee from All four
organizations as proper body for
the discussion and settlement Of
grievances, and to consent. moreover
to reopen and take up with such com-
mittee % batch Of grievances Of the
character described
"The company has never been
asked to take up and discuss with
It's employees the question of meeting
cooperative committee represent
ing tho four ORGANIZATIONS ana dis
cussing with it the question of maxi
ing changes in existing agreements or
making new agreement involving
giving such a committee jurisdiction
over cases Of grievances or other mat
ters. While the company has been OPP
posed 10 that method of settling
grievances and has so expressed it,
self, il has not refused TO discuss with
its employees the adoption of this Coz
operative method
'1t Is willing to meet and discuss
with any committee of It's employees
the pros and cons of the question. and
it is willing, If unable TO come to an
agreement on the subject, to invoke
the aid Of the board Of mediation and
conciliation and to submit the mat
ter to arbitration
"The position Of the officers Of the
company In respect 20 the pending
demands OF It's employees has been
taken in performance of their duties
as they are defined IN the report Of
the interstate commerce commission.
If the c9mpany's employees have the
same regard for the commissions re-
port and recognize the duties which
railway employees as well as railway
officials owe TO the public they viii
not persist In their demands. Certain
it Is that if the travelling public has
a conclusive voice In the determine
zion Of the controversy a due regard
for its rights would lead to rs ap-
proval Of the stand taken by the of
hcers Of the railroad The question in
q nutshell Is. Shall the company buy
It's peace with the employees at the
price OF the safety Of the publlc?'
"The answer must he given by the
public Tho company stands ready TO
submit it's case TO the tribunal APP
pointed by the people as IT'S represen-
tntive for the settlement of such
controversies