Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-05-16
Strike Against Railroads Settled
By Agreement for Arbitration;
Service Is Returning to Normal
Demand for Extra
Diesel Fireman
Is Modified
BY the A:seeiated Press

CHICAGO. May 16.-The Ma
tons worst railroad strike in four
years was settled today and strik-
ing firemen on five major rail
systems were ordered back to
their Jobs Immediately.
The struck carriers-their pas
senger and freight service dis
rupted by the six-day-old walk
out-planned to resume normal
service "as rapidly as possible.
The striking Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen and Engine
men recalled picket lines and or
dered the strikers to return to
work.
Both sides expressed satisfac-
ton over the settlement terms.
The carriers said they won the
fight on the principal issue-not
70 hire a second fireman on null
tiple-unit Diesel locomotives. They
said the union withdrew its de-
mand on the issue. which has been
IN dispute between the brother
hood and carriers for more than
10 years.
Terms Called "Satisfa ctOry."
A spokesman for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad. largest of the sys-
TENS affected by the strike, said
The settlement was in keeping
with the major findings of the
presidential fact-finding boards
and the main issues in the case
those placing additional unneces-
sary men on the Diesel locomo-
tives-were not part of the set
tlement."
Union President David B. Rob-
ertson, in a statement. termed as
satisfactory" the settlement "of
all issues involved"
The union said it did not with
draw entirely" its request for
assignment of a third man on
big Diesel locomotives. A spckes-
man said the brotherhood "modi-
f1ed'' it's demand.
The strike, originally set for
April Is. started May 10 against
Issdrts of the Pennsylvania, New
York Central, the Southern Rail-
way and Santa Fe systems. It
was extended to the Southwestern
district of the Union Pacific Rail-
road last Saturday.
The walkout disrupted much of
the Nations rail transportation
and had made idle about 100000
workers-mostly railroad employees
although only $4,000 locomotive
flremen were called out by the
union.
The break in the strike was
announced shortly after 3 am.
(EST) and Immediately the union
sent kilograms to strikings locals
canceling the strike order.
Continuous Meetings.
The union and carriers had met
continuously for nine hours during
the night and early morning
hours. Sitting in at the peace talks
were members of the National
Railway) Mediation Board.
The main snag in the negotia-
lions was the dispute over the hir-
ing of a second fireman on the big
diesel locomotives.
While the carriers said the union
withdrew its demand, a union
spokesman said it modified it's de-
mand to the extent that the ques-
ton will be approached through
arbitration of the existing contract
agreement.
One fireman and one engineer
are employed on the big diesel
locomotives. The union has
charged the railroads have been
violating the rule, which provides
for a fireman in the forward cab
Of diesel locomotives on main line
or through passenger service at
all times when the train is NOV
ing. 1t said that if services OF
an additional man is required to
perform work in the motor room
the rules provide he shall be taken
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