Oxford eagle., 1916-07-06

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
disposition those provisions in the
schedules or practices Hereunder
governing compensation in the classes
Of service affected by your proposals
or those in conflict with the following
principles as they apply TO such classes
| "tal No double compensation for
the same time or service.
| "tb) The same classification for
the purpose of compensation To be ap-
piled to all members Of a train and
engine crew.
| "(c) Two or more differently paid
classes Of service performed in the
same day or trip to be paid proportion
ate rates. according to the class Of
service, with not less than a minimum
day for the combined service
! For the purpose Of interpreting the
application of Paragraph (a) of this
reply in connection with the considers
tion and Interpretation of your Form
35, without interfering with existing
seniority rules, the following was
submitted to your representatives by
the National Conference Committee Of
the Railways:
"A road mans time will start from
the time he is required to report for
duty, and, except where tied up be-
tween terminals in accordance with
existing agreements, all work and de-
lay required at initial terminal and en-
route will be paid as continuous time
or mileage. At final destination, exist
ing rule or rules concerning additional
service after arrival, final terminal de-
lay, etc. not to be disturbed. and will
be paid for pro rata until the time on
duty equals the overtime limit Of the
run. Time paid for under one rule not to
be paid for under another rule or rules
Joint conferences between your re-
presentatives and the National Con-
ference Committee Of the Railways
representing the railways of the Unit
ed States, were held in New York City.
commencing June lst and concluding
June 18th.
Your requests and the contingent
reply of the railways were carefully
considered. The conferences develop
ed that the conflicting views of your
representatives and Of the National
Conference Committee of the RAILWAYS
could not be harmonized and, therefore.
the following formal reply was made
to your representatives:
The National Conference Com
mittee of the Railways has carefully
considered your proposals and your
Explanations of their meaning and in
tended application. In our Judgment,
no reasons developed during our con-
ferences to Justify the extraordinary
changes in operating methods and
practices and the large expenditures
for additional facilities which your
proposals involve, nor was ANYTHING
presented to justify your requested
radical revision of the established basis
Of compensation for men in engine.
train and yard service. The present
rates and rules are largely the result
of recent arbitration awards, and. in
! n,,r Judgment provide for the
men liberal compensation and favor
able working conditions. Moreover.
the best obtainable estimates Indicate
that to accept your proposals would
increase the cost of operation Of the
railroads approximately one hundred
million dollars year. all of which
must eventually be borne by the pub
lie.
I'VE are confident that you and the
men you represent appreciate the re-
sponsibilities Of this Committee to
three substantial interests, viz:
Il. (a) To the employees here in
volved, whose efficient service is
ackno Eledged, and with whom tha
railways have no differences which can
not be considered fairly and decided
Justly by some impartial body.
.,(b) To all other employees of the
railways whose material welfare should
not suffer becscse of the preferment
OF any particular group of fellow
workers.
,'2; To the owners of the railways,
who have right to participate in the
earnings of their business on a fair
and equitable basis.
8. To the public, who are vitslly
Interested in the maintenance of an
Uninterrupted and efficient transpor-
alton service, and whose ultimate con-
-ol OF the situation we all recognize
fundamental
We reiterate the statement aiyen
y the railways TO their men and re-
eated to you by this Committee, that
ie railways have no desire to change
timer the existing rates of pay or
'orking rules, nor to reduce the earn
az possibilities of the employees under
he existing schedules; but your pro-
osais, in connection with the inter-
Iretations given during our conferences,
IRE SO inherently and fundamentally
opposed to the views of this COMMITTEES
hat we feel constrained to decline and
10 hereby decline them
Our conferences have demonstrated
that we cannot harmonize our diff
ferences of opinion, and that eventu-
ally the matters in controversy must
be passed upon by other and disin-
terested agencies. Therefore we
propose that your proposals Consist
ing of Articles to 4, inclusive, re-
ferred to during our conferences as
Form 35), and the proposition Of the
railways, viz:
That in connection with and a part
OF the consideration and disposition of
your proposals, there shall be open for
consideration and disposition those
provisions in the schedules or practices
hereunder governing compensation in