The sun., 1916-08-30

society in its' favor We believe that
society has not yet recorded its judy
ment upon this subject. .
we are not in this controversy, how
ever. dealing with the conditions rela,
ing to the eight hour day In the indus-
trial world. The difference between the
| eight hour day in business and manufec-
| turing interests and in the railroad train
| service day has been fully explained.
The railroad day Is a basis for comput-
ing pay and overtime. the length OF
, daily service being controlled by varia-
BILE conditions.
Real Purpose Of DemanAS.
"The demands involved in this on
| troversy have not been presented. in our
judgment, for the purpose Of hxing a
! definite daily period OF labor nora re-
| duction in the existing hours Of labor or
change in methods Of operation. but for
| the real purpose OF accomplishing an
Increase In wages Of approximately
800, 600. 900 per annum. or IS per cent.
for the men In railroad freight train and
yard service represented by the labor
i ORGANIZATIONS in this matter. Z
After careful examination Of the
| facts and patient and continuous rom
sul;ation with the conference committee
Of managers and among ourselves we
have reached a clear understandings Of
| the magnitude OF the questions and OF
| the serious consequences to the railroads
| and to the public involved in a decision
| Of them
"As trustees for the public served by
our lines and for the great mass ofsthe
less powerful employers mot less than
80 per cent. OF the whole number) in
terested in the railroad wage fund-as
trustees also for the millions Of people
that have invested their savings and
| capital in the bonds and stocks OF these
| properties and who through the savings
banks. the trust companies and insur-
I ance companies are vitality interested
20 the extent Of millions Of dollar In
| the integrity and solvency Of the rail-
| roads Of the country, We cannot In con-
| science surrender, without a hearing. the
| principle involved. nor undertake TO
~transfer the enormous cost that Will re-
suit to the transportation OF the COM
merce Of the country.
The eigh, hour day without punitive
overtime involves an annual increase APP
~proximating in the aggregate sixty mil
lions of dollars and an Increase OF more
than 20 per cent. In the pay OF men. al
ready the most highly paid In the trans
portation service. The ultimate cost to
the railroads Of an admission In this
manner OF the principle under contention
cannot nov be estimated the enect upon
the efficiency Of the transportation OF the
country now already under severe test
under the tide OF business now moving
IN at a time when more instead or less
EFFORT is required for the public welfare
would he harmful beyond calculation.
Tho widespread effect upon the indus
tries OF the country as n whole Is beyond
measure or appraisement at this time
and We agree with the insistent and
widespread public concern over the
gravity Of the situation and the corse-
auences OF a surrender by the railroads
In this emergency.
I'm 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 mmer OF the
country. and Of the consequences that will
ncw from even n temporary interruption
OF service over the railroads. but the is
sues presented nave been raised above
and beyond the social and monetary
questions involved and the responsibility
for the consequences that may arise vii
rest upon those that provoke It.
Calm lnvesti9atiOn Needed.
"rhe questions involved are In our re-
spectful Judgment emInently suitable
for tho calm investigation and decision
by the public through the agency OF fail
arbitration and cannot he disposed OF &c
the public satisfaction in any other man
ner. The decision OF a commission Oi
board OF arbitration having the public
confidence will be accepted by the public
md fha Snrill aud Annnrill 81 vfanV Q.
ments made necessary thereby will b'
undertaken by the public. but IN no less
deliberate or orderly manner.
The railroads az the country canno'
under present conditions assume this
enormous increase IN their expenses. II
imposed upon them IL would involve
many IN early financial embarrassment
aud bankruptcy and imperil the power
OF all to maintain thcjr credit and the In
.egrity of their securities. The imnc
date increase IN cost. followed by o,he,
increases that Would he inevitable. wohlt
substantially appropriate the presen
| purchasing power ~ the railroads am
. disable them from extending and i'm
= proving their facilities and equipment 4
keep abreast ~ the demands OF tn
, country for efficient transportation ser
9 vice.
For these reasons we are with deel
, regret unable to acccp, the suggestion
made hy the President % the Vnite'
Sta'G..
y Propose HRsts al settlement.
. " propose. however, as a basis o
settlement the following
"A--The railroads will, effective Sen
TENDER !, 1916, keen the time OF all me
represented in this movement upon q
l 4 U hatls hD lnt 80, aA~a a..