Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-09
Want to Deal Directly

Want to Deal Directly
Mr.. Garretson, reiterating the con-
tention of the brotherhoods that in
previous attempts to settle differences
with the railroads through the fed
eral boards the brotherhoods had
failed to obtain satisfactory awards,
said that the unions believed they
could reach a settlement by dealing
directly with the railroads,
I believe" he said, settlement of
our differences can be much better at
tained by dealing directly with you
without the interference of a third
party"
Chairman Lee then announced that
he would nevertheless appeal to the
Federal Board of Mediation and Con-
ciliation. This board was at the time
IN session at nearby hotel.
Railroads Appeal
Judge w. L. Chambers, chairman of
the United States Board of Mediation
and Cancellation, announced after the
adjournment of the meeting that the
railroads had formally appealed to
the board to mediate their differences
with the Union.
The board Immediately prepared a
communication to the brotherhood of
tering its services which it was an
nounced would be dispatched to the
brotherhood chiefs at once.
Meantime. it was stated. the board
would remain in session to await the
brotherhoods' reply
Waiting and Willing
1t was indicated by members of the
board that the communication was
being sent on the assumption that the
brotherhoods would accept their offer.
Both sides after adjournment went in
to executive session.
Mr.. Garretson explained to news
paperment that the unions had not de-
cllned mediation unequivocally but
mad refused to join with the railroads
IN asking for it because they did not
believe in it at this time.
The brotherhoods' chief together
with his colleagues. Warren S. Stone.
reiterated, that their position was that
they had not yet exhausted all the
possibilities by dealing directly with
the railroad managers.
However" said Mr.. Garretson, our
position is something like Barkus, I'VE
are waiting and willing"
Lee Makes Statement
Chairman Lee, in rejecting the
brotherl.oods' demands and proposing
mediation, made a statement, in part
as follows:
After much consideration it is our
judgment that the proposals which
the men have supported by their vote.
llNOlNe SuCn extraordinary changes in
operating methods and such radical
revision in established bases of COM
penSation as to make Il alsoarent that
there is little probability of our being
able to harmonize our differences of
opinion unless this result can be
brought about through the Federal
Board of Mediation and Cancellation
which was created to assist the parties
in just such circumstances as now
confront us.
THE national conference committee
of the railways is as sincerely anxious
as your committee can be to reach
some amicable adjustment of the mat
ters involved in the present contro-
Versy but we are convinced that in
the end we shall have to invoke the
friendly offices of the Federal Board
of Mediation.
IT is not open to question that
Whatever we can do by direct neeo-
tiations-we can also do Just as quick
ly and as effectively through media
ton; and experience has demonstrat-
ed that common ground could be
reached the mediators in cases where
the parties have been wholly unable
to reach such common grounds
through direct negotiations"