New-York tribune., 1918-02-25
5000 Railroad Operators
From Boston to Chicago
Involved
Radicals Want Action
Wages, Hours of Work and
Vacations Included in
Demands

Because federal mediation of their
demands, promised before the govern
ment took over control Of the rail-
roads, has not been forthcoming, union
telegraphers on the New York Central
the Long Island and the New York, New
Haven and Hartford roads are becom-
ing rcstive, with the more radical
among them talking strike. Approx
mately 5000 men, and lines extending
from Boston TO Chicago are involved
Mediation of the demands Of the New
York Central's men was to have begun
here last Thursday, the railroad join
ing with the Order of Railroad Tele-
graphers early in January in request
to the Department Of Labor for assis-
tance in adjusting the differences on
wages and working conditions. Then 1t
was postponed until Saturday, and
again put off indefinitely, George W
Hnger, the Federal mediator, returning
to Washington without hearing a wit
ness.
Reason for Delay Unknown
"When Mr. Hanger left here he did
not know why the matter was being
postponed" said Thomas NJ. Pierson,
vice president of the Order of Rail
road Photographers in charge of Eastern
trunk territory, at the Continental yes
terday, "and we have been unable to
learn anything as to the causes for the
delay. Meantime the men out on the
roads are becoming restive.
81 do not look for a strike, that is
the last thing | look for. but the fact
ct hot no
the men are beginning to clamor for
action. They are asking why they,
who have gone about settling this mat
ter in an orderly way and without any
strike vote or anything of the sort, are
held up while men on Western roads,
who, prior to the Presidents request
to submit everything to mediation,
threatened a strike, have had their al
fairs adjusted and are working under
improved conditions. This question
we cannot answer.
eve hope that we may hear some
thing definite this week and to get
down to business right away, but, as
matters stand, we don't know and can
not tell whether we will get action
next week or next month. This sort of
thing in itself tends to make friction,
i'll feeling and trouble"
Wages Chief Demand
The demands of the men on the var
ious roads vary. according to Mr.. Pier
son, in some cases rules governing the
numbers of hours and the number Of
days each month or week being in
volved, in others the matter of vaca-
tions, and in all the matter of wages.
"In the West" said he, "the men are
asking a 26-day month. That is where
the pay check arrives monthly. Here
in the East, where weekly payments
are the rule, a six-day week is being
asked. 1t is such a condition that a
fiat increase of 10 per cent will not
settle anything, because the men are
as insistent upon improved conditions
Of working as on the money question.
There are many of the men working
ten and twelve hours day, while
others are working but eight. The
long hour men want and are entitled
to some adjustments.
"The mere admission that the men
are not getting a square deal does not
help any when it comes to paying the
butcher and the baker. That is why
they are becoming restive"
The roads affected by the DELAYED
mediation are: New York Central lines,
east and west, employing 5000 teleg-
raphers Pittsburg z Lake Erie. 200
men; Nickel Plate. $50; Michigan Cen
trail, l,500; the Big Four, 500; the Long
Island, 400, and the New Haven with
1900