The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-13
RAILROAD DEBATE
HALTS IN DEADLOCK
"Yardstick'' Answer Of Man.
ayers Causes Employees to
Hint of Strike.
NAY GO AWAY TODAY

Tho conference between the railroad
managers and the representatives, OF the
brothcrhoods reached a deadlock yes
terday and is expected to end to-day.
The union mon viii at once submit 10
their organizations the question whether
the 100000 men in the freight service
Of the railroads will strike or will con-
sent to arbitration. when this has been
ascertained the officers Of the brother
hoods will return to New York for n
final meeting.
4 "yardstick' answer made by Elisha
Lee. chairman Of the conference commit
tee Of railway managers brought about
tho crisis yesterday morning. In effect
this set forth the insistence of the man
Ayers that the basis for consideration
OF the demands Was that all double com
pensation, extra compensation for specl'
fled work. must he eliminated. known
variously as "frills.'' feathers. "whisk-
ers' and the like in various parts OF the
country. this is regarded by employees as
the most profitable part Of railroading,
Tor " means tntt men S'lll'Nllll'N -'N N"e
extra money while they are doing a
piece OF work for which they are paid
fun wages.
Lack Power to Make Change.
The answer Of the union men was
that they were not empowered to modify
existing arrangements so as 10 abolish
this perquisite and that therefore the
conference might as we'll end. They re-
manned at the conference during the
afternoon. but at the end OF the session
A. B. Garretson. head OF the order OF
Railway Conductors and spokesman OF
his side, said that the conference was
practically over. as 1t would a about
thirty days for the unions to act upon
the questions to be submitted.
I'VE might as we'll quit" said Mr.. Gar
petson. Practically We are through"
After the railway managers had An
iehed questioning the union representa-
tives and had presented their request
that the unions also discuss the advisa-
bility of abolishing two pays for one job.
Warren s. Stone OF the locomotive en-
ginoers. Timothy Shea Of the railway
trainmen. l.. f.. Sheppard and other
union officers asked about one hundred
questions in their turn. all relating TO
double compensation. The railway man.
ayers began to answer these yesterday
morning. Mr.. Lee. who read the
nswers proceeded without much delay
until he was we'll within the th!rties,
when he paused.
81 think" he said, ct well for Us TO
announce what may be considered 10 oe
Q 'yards,ick' answer to these questions,
which must be- considered as understood
and applying to all answers made here
WYNN"
Reads "Yardstick" Answer
Then he read Road mans time will
start from the time he Is required to re
bort for duty and, except when tied W
between terminals, in accordance with
existing agreements al! work and dut,
required at initial terminal and en- route
will be as continuous time or mileage
At final destination existing rule or rules
concerning additional service after as
rival, final terminal delay. SC, not TO bt
disturbed and will be paid for pro rata
until the time on duty equals the over
time limit of the run. Tim paid fol
under one rule not TO be paid for under
another rule o. rules"
That might not seem plain TO a lay
man, but every one OF the 500 listener:
out In the body of the Engineering So
cieties auditorium gasped when they
heard 4, read. II meant the end Of tn,
"frills and feathers"
W understand from that" said NJ
Garretson slowly, that his answe
would abolish all initial and intermediate
arbitrar!es?"
Mr.. Lee nodded. Work would con
sinue as overtime where there was such.
BE said.
The union leader. conferred a mo
..l .,-.~l ,n,pI prhar Ne ~
suggested that of course modification
were possible. mutual notifications.
.'Our proposition for an eight hou'
day and time and a half overtime n
peculiar In one respect said Mr.. Gar
retson. at is not modihable. II is i'm
possible for us to compromise on eigh
hours. for then 1t would cease to b.
an eight hour movement"
stone Ready 10 Omit.
We might as well quit Just here.
said Mr.. Stone. and that appeared 4
be the general sentiment, However, /
was thought best 10 continue the sessio,
into the afternoon In order TO get al
Of the answer of the railroad manager
on the record.
I'VE remained so that we might as
certain how they applied the 'yardstick
to all the questions said Mr.. Carrot
son. "They applied II falr!y close
though of course they could not appl.
II or ALL"
Mr.. Garretson. speaking for the rep
resentatives of the brotherhoods. SAT-
there was little or no hope OF anythini
but adjournment to-day.
We cannot agree with that answer
n It Is useless to 30 further" n
added.
Mr.. Lee, however, was a little NOR,
optimistic.
The men In the body ~ the hall, VII,
are the heads OF unions on the roads
appeared 10 be anxious last night 10 en-,
the conference, Many OF them had pre-
dicted a deadlock from the start.
The conference, which began on Jun,
], Is costing the unions $40 n day 70
each OF the local chairnen present
which brings the aggregate to abou
$4,000 a day. IN addition TO the expense
Of the national presidents. vice presi
dents and secretaries. The union leader
believe that when they return wit
power 10 call 4 strike II their demand
arc refused they will obtain Qu.cke
action.