Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-03-17
EMPLOYEES SET FORTH
THEIR SIDE OF DISPUTE

ment signed by the four brotherhood |
chiefs. w. G. Lee, for the trainmen;
w. s. Carter for the firemen; L. Z.
Sheppard for the conductors; and w.
8. Stone for the engineers.
Want Adamson Law
1--WE presented a proposition to
place the Adamspn eight hour law into
effect along the lines suggested by
President Wilson last August, which
was that in all road service, except
passenger, where schedules now read
"one hundred miles or less, nine or
ten hours or less, for basic day and
12h miles per hour for speed basis
for the purpose of computing over
time. Overtime to be paid for at not
less than one-eighth of the daily rate
per hour. In all yards switching and
hosting service where schedules now
read; "Ten, IL or IL hours or less
shall constitute a days work." insert
eight hours or less" shall constitute
a days work. Overtime to be paid
for at not less than one-eighth OF the
daily rate per hour. In passenger
service the present mileage basis will
be maintained provided that the basic
passenger day will not be in excess
of eight consecutive hours. Overtime
to be paid for at not less than one
eighth of the daily rate per hour.
Offer Substitute
1.-THE conference committee of the
-.u.o.d, tooiy our nronoeitinn undnr
consideration and at the afternoon
meeting notified us that they could
not accept 1t and substituted in lieu
the following:
"If the supreme court holds the
law to be constitutional and the two
sides cannot agree on the application
of any of the points, we will agree
that the eight hour commission shall
determine how the law shall be APP
piled.
In case the law is declared uncon'
stitutional we offer &c join you in
ordering the eight hour conference to
decide the whole controversy. Any
settlement arrived at to be effective
from Jan. 1. 1917.
at will be noted that in any even
tuality the managers committee have
declined to negotiate any settlement
of the eight hour day; that If the
law be held constitutional they will
not agree to our Interpretation of the
law and desire to submit the applica
ton OF the law to arbitration, the
~F m 10
sion being the arbitration board.
ION the other hand IL the law 1!
declared constitutional they declin,
to make any settlement of the matter
in controversy with us, and again OF
fer to submit She matter to arbitra
tration. the mem ,ers of the eight hou
commission being the arbiters.
"If the railroads are willing to sui
NIT either of these propositions TO al
bitration II is evident they are willin
to give their employees an eight hou
day II the arbitration board so decides
but the roads themselves will neve
grant the request directly.
Claim Attitude Unfair
I'VE submit that this is an unfai
attitude for the conference committe
Of the railroads to assume for IL the
are willing to grant the eight hou
day through any method, they shoul
be willing to grant II directly to the
employees and not prolong the contr
versy.
"The public will remember that al
having fnflDH IN
ment with the conference commissio
of the railroads last August PresideI
Wilson interviewed and endeayOred
mediate our difficulties and aftt
hearing both sides OF the discussio
and considering the matter for sever
days, proposed settlement, whiC
settlement is practically the same {
we have Just proposed TO the railroad
The railroads refused to accept II
presidents proposition and the pres
dent recommen ded to congress the e
actment OF law similar to his prop
sition. This congress did when II
railroads again refused to accept Il
decision OF congress and have not y,
observed the law in n single instanc
Try Delay Settlement
ut Is evident to us that the D
sltion OF the railroads is to avoj
any settlement OF the matter unit
such time as the country becomes II
volyed in war. when they expect {
escape any settlement of whateye
character. Even though the suprem
court should decide that the law
constitutional, we have noticed tina
they will not accept our interpretatlo
thereof, which Is practically the sam
as the president proposed when h
recommended the enactment of tn
law; therefore n decision OF the 81
preme court UNFOLDING the constltu
tionality of the law would not oyeI
indirectly secure for the employees tn,
purpose OF the law.
Employees Loyal
ut goes without saying that rail
road employeg have been natient m n,