The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-31

The minimum days pay for eight-hour yards shall not be less than the present day's~pay for 10-hour yards. Provided that in yards having minimum day of more than 10 hours the present days pay as in effect January 1, 1916, will be continued with the eight-hour day.
 (b) Time to be computed continuously from time required for duty until re- leased from duty and responsibility at end of day or run. All over eight hours within any 24-hour period to be computed and paid for at the rate of time and one- half time.
 the minute basis.
 ARTICLE 3.
 (a) Eight hours or less at present 10 hours pay will constitute a days work in hostling service.
 (b) Time to be computed continuously from the required for duty until released from duty and responsibility at end of day or run. All over eight hours within any 24 hours period to be computed and paid for at the rate of time and one half time.
 tc)' All overtime to be computed on the minute basis
 ARTICLE f.
 Any rates of pay including excess mile- age or arbitrary dfferentials that are higher, or any rules or con- ditions of employment contained in individual schedules in effect January 1, 1916, that are more favorable to the employees, shall not be modified or affected by any settlement reached in connection with these proposals. The gen. eral committee representing the employees on each railroad will determine which is preferable and advise the officers of their company. Nothing in the settle ment that may be reached on the above submitted articles is to be construed to deprive the employees on any railroad from retaining their present rules and &C., cepting any rates that may be agreed upon or retaining their present rates and accepting any rules that may be agreed upon.
 The following reply was made by MT. Coapman:
 Your communication of March 29, 1s16 giving notice of your desire to devise pres ent wage schedule and agreements, ac- cording to certain proposals made part of that notice, has this day been received
 'The present standards of rates and working conditions have been very largely fixed by mediation and arbitration and this company feels that they are adequate and even liberal to the employees. This company has no desire to change either the existing rates of pay or the working rules, not to reduce the earning possibili- ties of the employees under their existing rules, but inasmuch as your proposals contemplate fundamental changes in op- erating methods and practices on which the schedules have been built up this company hereby gives notice in con- formity with the schedules now in effect, that in connection with and as a part of the consideration and disposition of your proposals there shall be open for con- sideration and disposition those provisions in the schedules or practices hereunder governing compensation in the classes of service affected by your proposals or those in conflict with the following prin- ciples as they apply to such classes:
 '(a) No double compensation for the same time service.
 "(b) The same classification for the pur- poses of compensation to be applied to all members of a train and engine crew.
 "(c) Two or more differently paid ella sses of service performed in the same day or trip to be paid proportionate rates according to the class of service with not less than minimum day for the com bined service.
 'sYour request that this company join in concerted movement with other roads will be given consideration and you will be advised of it's decision as soon as ora cticable.'