Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1907 — WILL IT BE A STRIKE ? [ARTICLE]

WILL IT BE A STRIKE ?

Railway Managers at Chicago Have Called on the General Government to Say “No.” Chicago, March 2,8. The United States government will he asked to intervene to prevent a strike of the conductors and trainmen on the western railroads, and if the plans of the general managers do not miscarry the whole controversy will lie submitted to arbitration for settlement. The general managers have given out a statement in which they declare that they will demand arbitration under the Erdmann act. As a strike cf the men would interfere with interstate commerce the railroad officials believe they can prevent a strike by asking the government to step in and take command of the situation. The Erdmann act, passed in 1898, provides for the arbitration of labor difficulties where interstate commerce is involved by the chairman of the interstate commerce commission and the commissioner of labor. There are 45,000 men involved. The unions demanded 12 per cent, higher wages and a niue-heur day. The railways offer 7 to 10 per cent, higher wages, which the men refuse nnd say the companies must “make concessions” or they will strike.