Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1916-08-18
.R. R. CRISIS IS NOW
UP To CONGRESS
Strike Seems Certain Unless
Federal Commission Acts
Brotherhood Leaders Reject the
Roads Proposals, One Pro-
viding for Reference to
u. s. Commission

ngton-Whether the wage con-
troversy between the railways and
their engineers. conductors. fireman
and brakemen is 10 be settled peace
fully OF by a strike now seems TO de-
pend largely on what action congress
viii take on the proposal to refer the
question to the interstate commerce
commission.
This national conference committee
Of the railways at the recent confer
ence in New York with the train serv-
ice brotherhoods proposed settlement
either by submission TO the interstate
commerce commission or by arbitra-
ton under The provisions Of the New
lands law.
The brotherhood leaders promptly
rejected both proposals, not only OBJ
jecting 10 the interstate commerce
commission as an arbitrator. but ex-
pressing their determined opposition TO
the plan Of arbitration provided by the
law which they had helped to get en-
acted.
To meet the objection that the inter
state commerce commission now has
no Jurisdiction over railway wages the
oo--~-.s--. -1-.~o-.--s~~ +b- -,sr.,-,r--
proposed that we jointly request con-
gress to take such action as may be
necessary to enable the commission to
consider and promptly dispose OF the
question involved"
Upon the failure Of the companies
and the labor organizations to reach an
agreement the question was put up 10
congress in another form. in resolu-
ton which was introduced by Senator
Newlands on June % providing for an
investigation by the commission Of the
whole subject of railway wages and /
their relation to railway earnings.
The resolution was proposed by the
chamber Of commerce of the United |
States after having been approved by I
a practically unamious referendum |
vote Of nearly 1000 commercial organ
izations throughout the country. The I
Newlands resolution differs from the
proposals of the railways The latter
refers only to the questions presented
by the demands of the IS per cent of
railway employees engaged in train
service and asks the commission TO set
tie the controversy by q decision The
Newlands resolution is much broader
and. without contemplating a final set
tlement by the commission. directs it
to investigate and report on the mini
mum. maximum and average wage
paid, with hours Of service. to each
class Of railroad employees in the Unit
ed States" not merely the big four
brotherhoods OF train employees. The
would also be directed to
report on the hours and wages in 9TH
er industries, the relation of wages
10 railroad revenues. the question Of
whether railroad revenues based on
existing rates for transportation viii I
ldmit Of equally favorable terms TO all {
,lasses OF railway employees and amy
,ther matter in this connection that l
he COMMISSION may deem relevant" (
The brootherhoods object strenuously .
o any idea Of federal tribunal fixing
wages and declaring that an investiga-
ion by the commission would only c
erye TO delay matters. The only pro-
'osal they have made is thattheir de-
hands be granted in full. with the 5
lternative OF a nationwide strike. [
hey insist that the railroads willbe c
aore inclined to yield to their de- ;
lands when confronted with a strike a
ote.
In their reply to the brootherhoods II
he railways advanced as their reasons U
,r proposing 20 refer the question TO
he interstate commerce commission 81
nat IL is "the only tribunal which by p
JASON Of its accumulated information e
caring on railway conditions and its e
,ntroi OF the revenue Of the railways "
in a position to consider and pro- IL
,ct the rights and eauslities OF all the cS
terests affected and to provide addi- re
onai revenues necessary 10 meet the II
ided cost of operation in case your &
-oposals are found by the commits pl
,n TO be reasonable" re
Whereas q board Of arbitration con- "a