Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-16
MEN To VOTE
ON QUESTION OF STRIKE
pr' Than 100000 Union and Nom
union Workers VIII Cast
Their Ballots.
EEK TO ENFORCE DEMANDS
all 70 Reach Agreement on Hours
OF Labor and Wage Schedule After
Two Weeks Conference With Rep
resentatives OF Companies.

NEW YORK, June 15.-More than
10000 union and n%onunion railroad
forkers of America will vote within
month on the advisabiIity of calling
general strike to enforce their de-
pads for al eight-hour day and time
pa a half for overtime as a result of
l. failure by representatives of the
fhroads and the men to reach n settle
|ynt here to-day after n two weeks
Inference.
Hope OF adjusting the dispute
rough the conference faded when the
|ilroads submitted a tentative compro-
rse offer to the men, granting their
fmards. but eliminating the majority
existing double compensation" rules.
Pc conference adjourned yesterday to
we III railroad managers an oppor-
unity to discuss further thcir stand
this point. but when they met the
zen to-day they not only refused TO
AXE a specific offer covering the COM
hnsation rules. but advised that their
ferences be submitted either to the
terstate Commerce Commission or TO
board Of arbitration to operate unde-
- ftoN VI u .NcWIlNuS ACT.
he men declined both offers. and tn
tcisior to take a strike vote followed
ECIDE on STRIKE VOTE
AT SECRET MEETING
The leaders and the 500 delegates OF
9 FOUR brotherhoods OF trainmen, en-
sneers. !iremen and conductors who
tended the conference decided on the
f~cesst,y for the strike vote at a secre
Getting following the break.
a. 3. Garretson. president Of the
Brotherhood Of Railroad Conductors
hno@cSd. later that the ballot will be
Safted Tonight n distributed to all
sfi!soad men, whether members of the
iotherhoods or not, before the close Of
fxt week.
The anvas will consume at least
rec weeks. the leaders agreed. and
ffore August / the result Will be
fown. II the men vote for a general
lrikc, the leaders will return here
fd again present the demands Of the
zen to the railroads in an effort either
gain their demands In full or a COM
-om!se offer without the necessity of
lttinE the strike actually into effect.
The monthly remuneration OF certain
Igineers would he reduced by SIS IL
G double compensation rule were
polished, while certain nIemen would
Ine- cuts averaging $40 TO $40 per
onth Under the present rule. the
en- state, an engineer or brakeman.
pr example. now receives pay for
20 full days for performing a duty
her than that prescribed in his class
work within one working day OF ten
ours, but under the railroads tenta-
i've compromise offer. he would receive
~ for only one day OF eight hours
81 the new rate for overtime. no mat
r what the varieties of duties as
sned him.
ROPOS.AL PRECEDED
BY FOLLOWING PREAMBLE
The proposal that the controversy be
omitted TO n Federal tribunal was
eceded In the railroads reply by the
lowing preamble:
The national conference committee
the railways have carefully consid-
ed your proposal and your explana-
ons and intended application. In our
dgmcnt, no reasons developed dur
G our conference TO justify the ex-
aordinary changes in operating
ethods and practices and the large
penditures for additional facilities
hich our proposals involved. nor
as anything presented to justify your
quested radical division OF the es-
- blished basis of compensation for
N in engines. train and yard service.
ne present rates and rules are large
the result OF recent arbitration
- .ards; and, In our judgment. now pro-
Vie for the men liberal compensation
d favorable working conditions.
,reover, the best o~btainable estimates
dicate that TO accept your proposal
,uId increase the cost OF operation
the railroads approximately $780,
u 1000 a year, all of which must
- entually be horne by the public.
we arc confident that you and the
N YOU represent appreciate the re-
VISIBILITY of this committee to three
bstantial interests:
First. To the employees here in
2lyed, whose efficient service is
xnowledged. and with whom the rail-
VS. have no differences which cannot
considered fairly and decided justly
some impartial body: to all other
ployees OF the railways whose ma
.!al welfare should not suffer because
the preferment of any particular
CUP of fe~llow-workers.
Second. To the owners of the rail-
VS.. who have a right to participate
the earnings of their business on a
r and equitable basis.
Third. To the public. who are vitality
n erested in the maintenance Of an
interrupted and efficient t~ransporta-
n service. and whose ultimate control
the situation we recognize as funda-
ntal."
C. G. INCOMPETENT
TO ACT N THIS CASE
klr. Garretson. replying in behalf OF
brotherhoods to the railroads state
Mt, said that. under past declara-
ms, the Interstate Commerce Commits
n would consider itself incompetent
act in h present case. and that
re was no disposition on the part
the men to make 1t a tribunal for
|. disposal of waEe questions.
The experience of railroad employees
arbitration. he said, had driven a
ee portion of the union membership
inst thai method. duo largely to the
e6!lity OF arbitrators ito grasp the
a!Is Of the problems and their in
~ A.. ,1ornorof1 1hof, ,,t.-- 49,