Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-29
discussed probable action while await
ing developments.
Statements OF Both sides.

The brotherhood heads, Garretson,
Stone, Lee and Carter, issued state
ment explaining their opposition 10
any legislation along the plan OF the
Canadian commission:
Since the abolition of slavery no
more effectual means has been devised
for insuring bondage of the working
man than the passage of compulsory
investigation acts of the character OF
the Canadian industrial disputes act,
says the statement. THE period OF in
vestigation is eternally utilized by the
employer to intrench himself in his ell
fort to defeat the demands of the men,
no matter how Just their cause may be
and in a majority of instances where
a verdict by an investigating commits
sion has been favorable to the men II
has been repudiated by the employer
statement to the public issued by
the committee Of railway presidents,
says in part
1--WE are unable to agree with the
proposal of the president that we ac-
cept without arbitration the substitu-
ton of an eight-hour day for the pres
ent ten-hour day in all of the existing
practices and agreements This is the
main point in controversy and we can
not surrender IL without an opportun-
ity to be heard in some form of fair
arbitration.
1--WE do not assent TO the statement
that the eight-hour day now undoubt-
eddy has the sanction OF the judgment
of society in its favor We believe
that society has not yet recorded us
Judgment upon this subject.
1.-THE demands involved in this con-
troversy have not been presented, in
our Judgment, for the purpose OF fixing
a definite daily period of labor, nor
reduction in the existing hours OF Ia
Dor or change in methods or opera
ton, but for the real purpose OF &C
cepting an increase of wages approx
mating one hundred million dollars per
annum, or 35 per cent for the men In
railroad freight train and yard service
represented by the labor organiza-
lions in this matter.
I'VE have reached clear under
standing of the magnitude of the ques-
lions and of the serious consequences
to the railroads and to the public In
volved in decision of them. We can
not in conscience surrender, without
hearing, the principle involved nor I'M
dertake to transfer the enormous cost
that will result to the transportation
of the commerce of the country.
Involves Millions Increase.
1.-THE eight-hour day without punt
tive overtime involves an annual in
crease approximating in the aggre-
gate sixty millions of dollars and an
increase of more than twenty per cent
in the pay of the men, already the
most highly paid in the transportation
service. The ultimate cost to the
railroads of an admission in this man
ner of the principle under contention
cannot now be estimated.
1.-The widespread effect upon the in
dustries of the country as a whole is
beyond measure or appraisement.
"The questions involved are, in our
respectful judgment, eminently suita-
BILE for the calm investigation and de-
cision by the public through the agency
of fair arbitration. The railroads Of
the country cannot assume this enorm-
Gus increase in their expenses. 1t
would involve many in early financial
embarrassment and bankruptcy and
imperil the power of all to maintain
their credit and the integrity of their
securities
The statement then outlined the fol-
lowing proposal as basis of settle
ment:
"(A)-The railroads will, effective
Sept 1, 1915, keep the time Of all men
represented in this movement upon an
eight hour basis and by separate ac-
count, monthly, with each man, main
tain a record of the difference between
the money actually earned by him on
the present basis and the amount that
would have been earned upon an eight
hour baSiS-Overtime on each basis to
be computed pro rata. The amounts
so shown will be subject to the decision
of the commission provided for in
paragraph Co OF this memorandum
and payable in money as may be di-
rected by said commission in its find
ings and decision.
"(B)-The interstate commerce COM
mission to supervise the keeping of
these accounts and report the in
creased cost of the eight hour basis
after such period of actual experience
as their judgment approves or the pres
ident may fix, not, however, less than
three months.
"(C)-In view of the far reaching
consequences of the declaration made
by the president accepting the eight
hour day, not only upon the railroads
and the classes of labor involved di-
rectly in this controversy, but to the
public and upon all industry. it seems
plain that before the existing condi-
tons are changed the whole subject in
so far as it affects the railroads and
their employees should be investigated
and determined by a commits sion TO be
appointed by the president of such
standing as to compel attention and
respect to it's findings.
The railroads will accept the find
ings of such a commission. The COM
mission should consist of not less than
five members and should also be au-
thorized to hear and determine all
questions that may arise in the appli-
cation OF the findings of said commits
sion or in the working out of such
plan as 1t may propose"
President Still Hopeful.
II was said in administration circles
that although the president had de-
cided to go before congress he had not
entirely given up hope of bringing the
two sides together through direct
negotiations.
| In addition TO starting the machin-
| cry to be prepared for strike IL all
I al cafd hn