The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-23
ton in life to be heard to have his

ton in life to be heard, to have his
day in court and we stand for the
principle of arbitration for the settle
ment of industrial disputes and the
further statement by the chairman OF
the conference committee of managers:
If we are to throw arbitration into
the scrap heap, what hopes can there
be in America for industrial peace in
the future? is best shown by the at
titude of these railway companies who
are loudly proclaiming the virtues of
arbitration and their undying adj
herence thereto; by the attitude OF
those same companies toward arbitra-
ton on long list of properties which
they absolutely own and control, but
which they have refused to include In
the present negotiations and to the
men on which lines they are refusing
their day in court SO feelingly re-
ferred to by the spokesman of the
railway presidents"
Here followed the list Of Ga prop
critics which the statement said the
brotherhood officials sought futilely
on June 81 to have represented by the
railroad managers in the present dis
pute.
I'm addition to these" the state
ment continued. ARE large number of
quasi dependent properties largely
dominated by the same financial pow
ers which we have vain1y demanded
should be included.
DAY IN COURT REFUSED
"These properties employ compare
lively small numbers of men and on
account of that fact the railway man
agements feel that demands on those
properties do not constitute a menace
as they do on the larger properties.
Therefore, the right to their day in
court is continuously refused and any
ARRANGEMENT, settlement or agreement
to arbitrate made with the managers
committee would not apply on these
lines. Thus the actual position Of the
conference committee and Of the presi-
dents above them Is that on lines
where the men are not strong enough
to force hearing there is nothing to
arbitrate,' while on lines where a cost
ly contest could be precipitated ar
bitration becomes the dearest prin-
ciple connected with the settlement OF
industrial strife.
cit might be pertinent at this time
to refer to the fact that the conference
committee of managers and their sup
porters have excluded the army of ne
gro brakemen and firemen employed
on the southern railways from all BEN
efits that might be granted in these
negotiations or from all arbitrations
that might arise. Are they, or are they
not, entitled to their day in court?"
Likewise the white f1remen employed
on those lines where the negro predomi-
mates Why Is he excluded from the ben
efits of this benificent plan of arbitra-
ton?
"Also the hostlers on IS of the leading
properties that are represented by the
conference committees; If arbitration Is
so desirable. why will these companies
not grant that boon to those men?
THE extreme solicitude on the part of
the railway presidents for the 80 per cent
of unorganized employees and their rights
becomes farcical when 1t Is known that
OH a large number Of those lines it is
| dischargable offense on any of theil
| railroads for that so per cent to take
| steps toward organizing for the purpose
of lettering their wage or working condi-
| tons. Those unorganized employees real.
! ize better than anyone else can that their
| only hope for better wages, shorter hours
or better working conditions lies in theil
being established by organized labor