Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-24
PUBLIC WILL PAY
TO AVOID STRIKE,
TIP OF RAILROADS
Demands of 100000 May Be
Met at Cost of Bet
ter Service
FACE SERIOUS 1SSUE E

NEW YORK. Jan. 2.-Although rail.
! road officials here today admitted that
n majority Of more than 100000 men em-
! ployed in four railroad unions had voted
| I'm favor OF calling nationwide strike
/ If the companies refused to grant demands
| that will be presented in the near future,
| they expressed the belief that n way of
avoiding a struggle could be found.
II is the contention of the railroads
that it would be impossible TO grant the
demands now being considered by the
| union leaders without using funds that
should be devoted to betterinE the rail-
roads or lowering wages of employees not
included in the memberships OF the four
unions which seek changes.
January 10 a referendum vote was sub
mitted TO the $4,000 to $1,000 members
OF these four unions upon the question
of authorizing tho officials to present ccr-
tain demands to railroad owners. Inform
alton reached labor leaders here yester-
day that authorization had been voted
by an overwhelming majority, although
the official count will not be made until
March l.
The labor-union leaders will be cmpow-
cred to ask for an eight-hour day or
100 miles, instead of q 10-hour day or
100 miles, except in passenger service,
with pay for overtime at one and a half
times the new higher pro rata rate in
stead of the old pro rata rate for over
time.
MAGNATES READY FOR WAR.
To meet the situation which the railroad
executives believe is certain to be pre-
sented to them early In March, steps have
already been taken TO launch the biggest
publicity campaign ever conducted in
labor dispute.
Although all the railroads OF the coun-
try and some in Canada are involved in
the present demand, the roads have de-
cdcd to deal with the situation through
II conference of general managers for
each of the three great districts i'm which
the railroad map is divided. Each dis
trict will have the management of its
own publicity campaign.
That the railroads are convinced they
are facing momentous issue and believe
that no time is to be lost In preparing
the public for 1t was shown yesterday
when this Eastern conference committee
through it's new publicity manager, Frank
II. Fayant, issued its first statement
THE SITUATION.
The situation, summed up, is:
Upon completion of the count of the
referendum vote union leaders will |
present the demands TO every steam
railroad president in the United States,
allowing 30 days for definite reply.
OIIeTS 10 dTDllTdte, II 1naue, VIII nc /
rejected Immediately, as will first
offers of compromise, IL made.
If the railroads refuse to meet the
demands. as the union leaders an
ticipate, they will ask authorization of
their members. by vote, to declare
nationwide strike.
With this authorization negotiations
will be resumed directly with railroad
heads, and no general strike will be
declared until the latter have been
given full opportunity to do the right
thing" II they fail to do this. as
union leaders fully expect, a general
strike will be declared.
w. s. Carter. president of the Brother
rood of Locomotive Firemen and Engine
nen, with membership exceeding 10000
s credited by labor men and capital alike
Is being the originator and chief organ
ger in this nationwide movement. w.
}. Lee. president of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen, which has a men,
'ership of approximately 10000, is be-
leved to be his chief lieutenant.