The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-07-17
'RAA.ROAD men MAY
BAR ARBITRATION
Engineers and Firemen of 80
Roads Threaten Strike.
AWARD MUST BE BINDING
Employees on Western Roads Cite Re-
fusai o6 Eastern Lines to Abide ~
Previous Deoisions-vote
Earors WaIkout.

Chicago, July lb.-Unt6SS tHe 90
western railroads give guarantee
that the finding Of the arbitration
board would be obeyed, the locomotive
firemen and engineers declare they
will never submit their demands to ar
hitration. This was the announcement
made by Grand Chief Engineer War
rem s. Stone Of the engineers and w.
s.. Carter Of the firemen.
The dispute between the railroads
and their engineers and firemen in
Wolves an additional annual wage pay
ment Of approximately $4,000 ,OOO The
railroads managers insist that be-
cause Of adverse legislation and BUSH
ness conditions they cannot pay the
extra sum.
/. The Railroad General Managers ass
ISOLATION received notice that the vote
OF the engineers and firemen was ap-
proximately unanimous against renew
Ing the present wage agreement and
In favor of strike if a satisfactory
settlement could not be made.
Roads Consider Demands Today.
After the announcement the railroad
officials asked that the result OF the
vote and what the engineers and fire.
men expect to receive from the SO
roads be submitted in writing. This
document will be presented to the rail-
road officials today. Their answer
may be complete refusal that will
end negotiations Or may leave loop
hole for further negotiations and set
element
!, In the event that the railroad Off,
Gals refuse to, consider any of the de.
mands OF the employees the United
States commissioner Of labor will be
called. in as o mediator. Neither side
will object to this program, as. the
United States mediator's duty is to try
to induce the contending parties to
make settlement by agreement. II
the mediator fails he will suggest that
the whole controversy be left to arbi-
tration. Up to this point there will be
little excitement But when arbitra-
ton is suggested the basis upon which
It will be accepted by the engineers
and fremen will bring the crisis.
4sssa Men Demand Guarantees ssi
a's'It may be some. time before the
question Of arbitration arises. said
Grand Chief Stone. when it does
there must be some understanding as
to whether the railroads. will comply
with whatever award is made. In the
East the railroads have failed to obey
the award Of an arbitration,. board
made two years ago. We will not per-
NIT such a situation to arise, in the
West. We must have a guarantee that
whatever award is made will be re-
ligiously obeyed.
Z 1--WE do not have to arbitrate unless
we wish" -
$4,000 Miles Of Road Affected.
I, !. The trouble arose several months
ago over the refusal. of, the railroads
to raise the wages Of the engineers
and firemen, but thesesare expected to
be supported in their fight by the
members of other crafts. :. L..
a strike would tie up approximate.
ly.148, 600 miles of railroad, involving
practically all lines west Of Chicago,
the Illinois Central and all Canadian
lines west of Fort William with the
exception OF the Grand Trunk Pacific:
Besides, firemen and engineers, the
oilers, maintenance of way employees,
clerks, roundhouse employees, ,eohduci
tors and brakemen were represented
at the meeting.