The
engineers demanded that their wages should be "standardized" on a
basis that one hundred miles or less, or ten hours or less,
constitute a day's work; that is, the inequalities among the
different roads should be leveled and similar service on the
various roads be similarly rewarded. They also asked that their
wages be made equal to the wages on the Western roads and
presented several minor demands. All the roads concerned flatly
refused to grant the demand for a standardized and increased
wage, on the ground that it would involve an increased
expenditure of $7,000,000 a year. This amount could be made up
only by increased rates, which the Interstate Commerce Commission
must sanction, or by decreased dividends, which would bring a
real hardship to thousands of stockholders.
The unions were fully prepared for a strike which would paralyze
the essential traffic supplying approximately 38,000,000 people.
Through the agency of Judge Knapp of the United States Commerce
Court and Dr. Neill of the United States Department of Labor, and
under the authority of the Erdman Act, there was appointed a
board of arbitration composed of men whose distinction commanded
national attention. P.H. Morrissey, a former chief of the
Conductors' and Trainmen's Union, was named by the engineers.
President Daniel Willard of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
known for his fair treatment of his employees, was chosen by the
roads. The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the
Commissioner of Labor, and the presiding judge of the United
States Commerce Court designated the following members of the
tribunal: Oscar S.
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