Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-29
CHIEFS AGAIN DECLARE
FOR ARBITRATION; ALL
NEGOTIATIONS ARE OFF

saving banks, trust companies and in
sufance companies are vitally in
terested to the extent of millions OF
dciiars in the integrity and solvency
OF the railroads of the country, we
cannot in conscience surrender with
out hearing the principle involved
nor undertake to transfer the enor-
nous cost that will result to the trans
portauon OF the commerce of the
country.
Means 20 Per Cent. Increase
The eight-hour day without punt
i've overtime involves an annual in
crease approXimating in the aggregate
S6O,oOO,O0O and an increase of more
than 20 per cent in the pay of men
already the most highly paid in the
! transportation service. The ultimate
| cost to the railroads of an admission
IN this manner of the principle under
contention cannot now be estimated:
the effect upon the efficiency of the
| transportation of the country, now al
ready under severe test under the tide
| or business now moving, and at a time
when more instead of less effort is re-
quired for the public welfare, would
be harmful beyond calculation.
| The Widespread effect upon the in
/ dustrles OF the country as a whole is
| ocEond measure or appraisement at
! TINS time and we agree with the insist
ent and widespread public concern
over the gravity of the situation and
the consequences of surrender by the
| railroads in this emergency.
In like manner we are deeply i'm
! pressed with the sense of our RESPONSE
! bility to maintain and keep open the
| arteries of transportation. which carry
| the life blood of the commerce of the
! country, and of the consequences that
| VIII How from even temporary inter
| rupuon of service over the railroads.
! but the issues presented have been
| faised above and beyond the social and
! monetary questions involved and the
! responsibility for the consequences
| that may arise will rest upon those
that provoke it,
| Again Ask for Arbitration
The questions involved are, in our
respectful Judgment, eminently suit
able for the calm investigation and de-
cision by the public through the
agency of fair arbitration and cannot
be disposed of to the public sctis-
] faction in any other manner. The de-
cision of a commission or board of
arbitration having the public con-
hdence will be accepted by the public
and the social and financial rearrange-
ments made necessary thereby will be
undertaken by the public, but in no
less deliberate nor orderly manner.
Cannot Assume Increase
the railroads of the country cannot
under present conditions assume this
] SI'Ci A'Ouo ihNl case III THEIR eADeuSeS.
! If imposed upon them it would involve
| m9ny in early financial embarrass-
ment and bankruptcy and imperil the
power of all to maintain their credit
and the integrity of their securities.
Tie immediate increase in cost, fol-
lowed by other increases that would
be inevitable, would substantially ap-
propriate the present purchasing
power of the railroads and disable
them from extending and improving
their facilities and equipment to keep
abreast of the demands of the country
for efficient transportation service.
For these reasons we are with deep
regret unable to accept the suggestion
made by the President of the United
States.
we propose. however, as a basis of
settlement, the following:
"(A) The railroads will, effective
September l, 1916, keep the time of
all men represented in this movement
upon an eight-hour basis, and by sepa-
rate account, monthly, with each man.
maintain record of the difference be-
tween the money actually earned by
him on the present basis and tho
amount that would have been earned
upCn an eight-hour basis-overtime on
each basis to be computed pro rata
The amounts so shown will be subject
to the decision of the commission pro-
vided for in paragraph c of this
memorandum and payable in money
as may be directed by said commits
sion in its findings and decision.