The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-12-03
ARB|TRATORS HEAR
RAILROAD DISPUTE
Better Service Conditions and
Higher Wages Needed Says
Warren S. Stone In
Opening Speech.

Chicago. Dec. Arbitration of
the differences over wages and hours
OF employment of 90 western railroads
and their $4,000 enginemen began here
today before a board of arbitrators
under the provisions of the Newlands
act. 1t is regarded as the most i'm
portant case hus far to come under the
law.
In a genera way it is stated that the
wage increases sought by the men is
about 10 per cent. They were repre-
sented in our by Warren S. Stone.
grand chief engineer of the Brother
mood OF Locomotive Engineers, and
Wm. S. Garter, president of the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Firemen and
Englnemen. The railroads We're rep
resented by the IL committeeman of
the managers associated by legal coun-
sci. The evidence, it was predicted
will be largely statistical although it
IS probable that about 40 witnesses di-
Vlded equally between the two sides
will be heard.
The arbitrators are W. L. Park and
H. Z. Byram, representing the rail-
roads. f. A. Burgess INC Timothy
Shea for the employees n Judge Jeter
c. Pritichard, n Charles Nagel, ap-
o-iitSu ny lIe SONeEIlllleHL.
In his opening statement to the arbi-
tration board, Warren S. Stone, grand
chief engineer of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers, review the con
ferences which have preceded the pres
ent arbitration of differences between
the railroads and their employees. He
laid great stress on the h"ardships suf-
fered by the men, their long hours Of
service, their hazards and their re-
sponsibilities.
He said that they were entitled TO
better service conditions and higher
wages tina the railroad managers We're
inclined to accord them.
He said the wage movement of the
employees was begun two years ago.
and that later it was decided that the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen should work with the
Brotherhoow of Locomotive Engineers
in the presentation of the requests to
the railroads..
He told of counter propositions sub
mitted by the railroad managers of the
joint conferences last winter, which
eliminated in the agreement to arbi-
trate.
Mr.. Stone insisted that any award of
the board of arbitration should not de-
crease the present Wage nor impose less
favorable service on the employees.
After describing the hardships of the
men in the cab and noting that traffic
each year is becoming more congeSted.
that each year the public demands fast
er time and better service, that eacl
year larger locomotives aSe built and
heavier tonnage hauled, the chief en-
gineer said it must not be overlooked
that all of these increased burdens fall
on the same men, their number not
having been increased for the purpose
of dividing this work n responsibility.
Remarkable Gains.
Summing up. Mr.. Stone said:
I'VE shall cndeavor to show that dur
ing the past "a years the western rail-
roads have made remarkable gains in
productive efficiency by their installa-
ton of locomotives of greater tractlve
power. By the elimination of curves
and reduction of grades. remarkable in
creases in train loads have been made. /
The burden of ali these economies in
the interests of railroad investments is
borne by the men in the transportation
service.
1.-THE effect on engineers and fire
men has been threefold. Their labors
and responsibilities have been in
creased greatly. but their earning ca
pacity. even at the slightly increased
rates of payment they have received,
has declined.
1--WE hope to show that these rail
roads not satisfied with the present
hare conditions, which nave reacned
the limit of human endurance, are in
tending to add further to existing
trainloads, thereby increasing the
and responsibilities of the
and firemen."
Quoting a statement of the railroad
managers last June, in which it was
pointed out that increase in expenses
of railroad operation through com
pliance with the employees requests
,,1-lI II, tho lone rrro mako the nuh-
lie suffer, Mr.. Stone said:
ut is refreshing to see this change
sentiment, but it is only when some
question of increase of wages of en-
is concerned that they become
so solicitous for the long suffering
public. A little group of financial pi-
will exploit some railroad and
place a burden on the public which
yet unborn will have to
bear and you hear not a whisper OF
The rights or sufferings Of the public"