New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-12
TRA|NMEN'S CONFERENCE
At WHITE HOUSE SURE
Secretary of Labor Says Meet
ing Will Be Held Despite "All
This New York Talk"
CONGRESS DELAYS ACTION
Will Not Take Up Amendments
to the Erdman Law Until
After the Meeting at
White House.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau

tFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, July 1.-THE meeting at
the White House scheduled for Monday
between President Wilson. railway Of
fcials and representatives Of the en-
ployes' union will take place as planned,
according to an announcement to-day by
Secretary Wilson Of the Department Of
Labor.
The House judiciary Committee held
a special meeting this afternoon and de-
cded to postpone until Tuesday consider
alton Of the Newlands-Clayton bill eX-
tending the provisions of the Erdman law
to meet the exigencies of the strike stu
alton on the Eastern railroads The bill
was scheduled for consideration in the
House tomorrow, and the delay was pro-
posed because OF the White House con-
ference.
Both the representatives Of the railway
managers and the union 'yill be present at
the conference" Secretary Wilson said
this evening They have notified me that
they will be here. and l cannot understand
all this talk at New York about nothing
being known there regarding the meet
ing.
Apparently the railway and union Of
fcials have a reason of their own for de-
nying knowledge Of the meeting, but what
IL is I have not been told. / prefer not
10 say at this time who asked for the con-
ference with the President l can say
however that the request was not made
on the initiative Of this department"
Look to the Future.
The object of the conference. Secretary
Wilson explained, was not altogether to
aid in preventing the threatened strike OF
trainmen on Eastern roads, but was 10
discuss and arrange a common ground on
which the government the railways ana
the employees unions can meet in the set
Element of future wage troubles.
Previous TO to-day's meeting OF the
House Judiciary Committee there had
been tacit understanding among its
members that the Senate bill would go
through the House tomorrow, thus
avoiding the necessity for a conference
between the two houses and threatened
opposition TO the amended House bill.
The House committee amended the New
lands-Clayton bill in several particulars
and no one Of the House amendments is
said TO be satisfactory TO the interests
involved.
Democratic members OF the House COM
mittee probably will be asked TO explain
tomorrow why there is to be another de-
Law in the consideration of the Senate
bill. which is satisfactory both to the
railroads and their employees. The passage
Of the bill would provide immediate
means Of arbitration.
Mr.. Dyer. Of Missouri. protested several
DAYS ago that there was no excuse Tor
non-action in the House, and In some
quarters the object Of the White House
conference is not appreciated. The ma
jority leaders Of the House probably Will
be asked to explain why White House
conference is necessary when the situa-
ton might be met within ten minutes by
the House in passing the Senate bill.
Blame Secretary for Delay.
1t is generally understood that Secre-
tary Wilson was responsible for the origi-
nal delay in the House, and also for GER
tain Of the House amendments The Sec
Rotary is now said 10 be willing TO accept
the Senate bill, but the Judiciary Commit
tee thought best to postpone action until
the President could take a hand In the
situation. Whether or not the White
House conference will prove Of political
advantage to the administration is yet to
be seen.
The chief objection TO the House amend
ments to the bill--which amendments
may be withdrawn Tuesday-is that the
lower body proposes to make the Board
Of Mediation and Cancellation an adjunct
of the Department of Labor. This board
would have the appointment Of two men,
bers OF the arbitration board in the event
the arbitrator first named were unable TO
agree on two additional arbitrators.
Secretary Wilson, at first jealous Of the
Jurisdiction of his department. has now
Informed House leaders that he will not
oppose further the Senate bill, which re-
moves the Board of Mediation and Con-
Citation from the Department of Labor
and makes 1t an independent organization
under the President only.
Both the railroads and their employees
are understood to be against the House
provision for an arbitration board Of nine
members, preferring a board Of six, as
proposed in the bill which passed the
Senate.
II the House should pass the Senate
bill as II stands the entire situation might
be met regardless Of White House con-
ferences. which now promise to delay ac-
ton until next week.