The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-12-03
HEAR
RAILROAD DISPUTE
Better Service Conditions and
Higher Wages Needed Says
Warren S. Stone In
Opening Speech.

Chicago. Dec. 1.--Arbitration Of
the differences over wages and hours
Of employment of 80 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 thus far to come under the
law. .-. l.... ..r
In a general way 1t is stated that the
wage Increases sought by, the men is
about 10 per cent. Thea were repre-
seuted in court by Warren S. Stone,
grand chief engineer OF the Brother
hood OF Locomotive Engineers, and
VIM. s. Carter, president OF the Broth
erhood OF Locomotive Firemen and
Enginenen. The railroads were rep
resented by the IL committeeman of
the managers associated by Legal coun-
sci. The evidence. it was predicted
will be largely statistical although II
Is probable that about 40 witnesses di-
yided equally between the two sides
will be heard. ....'. .
The arbitrators are w. L. Park and
III. E. Ryram, representing the rail-
roads. +. A. Burgess and Timothy
Shea for the employees and Judge Jeter
G. Priticbard, and Charles Nagel, ap-
pointed Dy the government.
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
emit arbitration OF differences between
the railroads and their employees. He
laid great stress on the hardships sur
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 than the railroad managers were
inclined to accord them.
He said the wage movement of the
employees was begun two years ago,
and that later 1t 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
each year Is becoming more congeSted.
that each year the public demands fast
or time and better service, that each
year larger locomotives are built and
heavier tonnage hauled, the chief en-
gineer said IL 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 and responsibility.
Barn n RI ,hla Haina =
Summing up. Mr.. Stone said:
I'VE shall endeavor to show that dur
ing the past "a years the western rail-
roads have made remarkable gains III
productive efficiency by their installa-
ton of locomotives of greater tractive
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. ...a r.. "..
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
hard conditions which have reached
the limit of human endurance, are in
tending to add further to existing
trainloads, thereby increasing the
labors and responsibilities of the en-
gtneers and firemen."
Quoting a statement OF the railroad
managers last June, in which Ii was
pointed out that increase in expenses
of railroad operation through COM
pliance with the employees requests
would in the long run make the pub
lie suffer. Mr.. Stone said: III
ut Is refreshing to sec this change
in sentiment, but 1t Is only when some
question OF increase of wages of en-
ployes is concerned that they become
so solicitous for the long suffering
public. A little group of financial pr
rates will exploit some railroad and
place a burden on the public which
generations yet unborn will have to
bear and you hear not whisper OF
the rights or sufferings OF the public