New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-31
Tell 100000 Men Any Dis
cussion of Pay Must
Open Whole Question.
EMPLOYEES INSIST
ON NAMING TERMS
Companies Must Answer Before
April % or Vote of Unions
on Strike Will Be Taken.

Counter demands were submitted 70
the 100000 railroad men whose propo-
sition for an eight hour day and time
and a half for overtime was yesterday
presented TO 45s railroads. The
counter demands. as formulated by
the Board OF Railroad Managers, are
as follows:
"The present standard Of rates and
working conditions have been very
largely fixed BY mediation and arbitra-
ton, and this company feels that they
are adequate and even liberal TO the
employees. This company has no de
sire TO change either the existing rates
OF pay or the working rules, nor 20
reduce the earning possibilities Of the
employees under their existing rules.
but inasmuch as your proposal con-
templates fundamental changes in
operating methods and practices on
which the schedules have been built
up. this company hereby gives notice,
in conformity with the schedules now
In effect. that in connection with and
as part of the consideration and dis
position Of your proposals there shall
be open for consideration and DISPOSE
ton those provisions In the schedules
or practices hereunder governing
compensation Doe the classes Of service
affected by your proposals or those in
conflict with the following principles
as they apply 10 such classes:
"la) No double compensation for
the same time or service.
"lb) The same classification for the
purposes Of compensation 10 be ap-
piled to all members Of a train and
engine crew.
"lcJ Two or more differently paid
classes OF service performed in the
same day or trip 20 be paid proper
tionate rates according 10 the class Of
service. with not less than a minimum
day for one combined service"
Men TO Discuss Own Terms Only.
The railroad employees emphatically
informed the railroads that the only
propos lions they would discuss were
those they have presented. They also
reserved the right 10 accept any part OF
any settlement that appears 20 them
advantageous and 90 reject any portion
that does not appear so 20 them, and TO
combine new rates with old conditions
or old rates with new conditions.
The demands Of the employees were
formulated ON Tues day at q meeting Of
thirty chairmen Of the division adjust
mcut boards of the Brothcrhoods Of
Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, Con
ductors and Trainmen. known as the
big Four and representing 100000
men. II the railroads refuse TO meet
their demands by April % the union
delegates must submit the proposition
10 a membership vote before strike
can be called Samuel Gompers has
promised the unions the cooperation of
the American Federation Of Labor IN
whatever action they may take.
In discussing their demands. which,
in substance, call for an increase iu
wages by the bas.ng Of wages on an
eight-hour day instead Of a ten-hour
day and by the payment of time and
ouc-half for all overtime work, repre-
scrtat.vcs Of the Big Four" stated
that the decrease in time would not
make the ordinary time cost overtime,
since 10 was the opinion of the railroad
men that schedules could be so ar
ranged that the reduction IN working
hours would not increase the cost Of
running trains.