The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-07-16
ERIE RAILROAD
STILL REFUSES
TO ARB|TRATE
Action of the Company, 1t Is
Feared, May Prevent Set
Element of Threat
ened Strike.
NATURALIZATION
MEASURE is PASSED
New Machinery for the Ad-
justment Of Railroad Wage
DISPUTES Is Now in
Operation.

WASHINGTON, July 15.-New fed
eral machinery for the adjustment OF
railroad wage disputes was authorized
today when the house and senate pass
ed and the president signed the New
lands Clayton bill Just as it was agreed
upon Yesterday ut The White house con-
ference between President Wilson. con-
gressionaI leaders and representatives,
of the big eastern railways and their
employees.
This law creates the board Of media
tion and couciiation. headed by
commissioner, to which the eastern rail-
ways and employees brotherboods nave
declared their willingness to submit
the wage dispute on account OF winch
10000 conductors and trainmen nave
voted TO strike. The union Officers
agreed 10 an armistice until tomorrow
afternoon pending action by congress,
and officials here expect them now to
make ready to lay their case before
the federal mediators as soon as Presi-
dent Wilson makes the appointments.
Signed by President.
The new law went through both
houses of congress without on obstacle
being put in its way. 1t reached the
White house late today and soon after
wards this statement was issued:
''The president signed the Newlands
act as soon as il reached the White
house and announced through his sec
eretary, Mr.. Tumulty, that he would
proceed as soon as possible. consistent
with the Importance of appointments,
10 the selection OF the commissioner
of mediation, as provided in the act
Seth Low, president of the National
Civic federation, who has been instru-
mental in bringing the railroads and
their employees together 10 the pres
ent dispute, is mentioned for the posi-
tion Of commissioner of mediation and
conciliation. As the other two MEM
bers of the board are to be government
officials. il was regarded as probable
that Judge Martin w. Knapp, of the
commerce court. and ali assistant to
one of the cabinet Officers, possibly an
assistant attorney general, would be
considered.
Erie Is Holding Out.
NEW YORK. July 15.-The status
OF the Erie railroad may be the first
question demanding solution when pro-
ceedings are started under the pro-
posed Newlands law looking TO the ar
ductors and trainmen against the east
.erD railroads. Erie officials said again
Today that they refused TO be a party
to, any arbitration and the union lead
ers contend that no road can be dealt
with individually. This might dead
lock the proceedings unless one or the
other modified its stand or some com.
promise were reached
Neither the union leaders nor the
& of
ayers cared 30 discuss the Erie case to-
day, although both sides held meetings
TO talk over the armistice agreed on at
Washington Yesterday.
w. S, Carter, president of the Broth
erhood of Firemen and Enginemen, met
with a committee Of that union to.
day 70 draw up a set of specifications
in which il is alleged that the railroads
have not in all respects lived up to the
terms of the recent award in the fire.
mems case. This will be submitted to
the conference committee tomorrow.
Woman Gives Assistance.
Just how Yesterdays White House
conference was brought about became
known today. when officials there
stated that Mrs. j. Borden Hartman
Of the new industrial commission had
informed them that q strike was inn
niuent unless an agreement on board
Il mediation could be secured. AS
result of her message, both President
Wilson and Secretary Wilson were COM
municatcd with by Secretary Tumultv
and the conference subsequently was
arranged with the help of Seth Low,
president of the National Civic fed.
Grafton.
The argument made by the trainmen
and conductors representatives for an
Independent tribunal TO settle labor
disputes also became known today. A.
3. Garretson of the Order of Railway
Conductors declared that the demand
for an Independent commission had
been begun before the department of
labor was created and therefore he
meant no reflection on tho secretary of
labor in opposing the proposal to have
the mediation board under the juris-
diction of any government depart
ment.
The railroad presidents, it was said
today, had little TO say ar the White
House conference, bur acquiesced in
the desire for an independent board.