The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-29
big Four Aver Will Not Be
Responsible If Strikes o.
cur
DEMANDS REJECTED;
i CONFERENCE IS OFF
Railway Representative Re
CARDS Situation More Critical
Than In September-Spo-
radio Outbreaks reared

New York, Dec. 2s.-"Put the
Adamson eight-hour law into effect
on January Or we will not be re-
sponsibie for what happens"
This was the ultimatum delivered
today by the brotherhood chiefs TO the
railway managers at an executive SEES
sion in the Grand Central conference.
A fiat rejection OF the demand was
made and the brotherhood heads--W.
G. Lee, OF the trainmen. Warren
Stone. of the engineers, ". =. Carter,
d of the firemen. and Acting Chief l. u.
Sheppard, of the conduCtors-ab-
| ruptiy quilted the conference cham
der.
Elisha Lee. chairman OF the ma
NJonal conference committee Of the
Nisways gave out a statement to-
night in which he expressed the de-
termination OF the railroads to await
the decision of the United states Su-
prenae Court in the Adamson law
lest case. II the law is upheld the
Y railroads will give the men back pay
from January /. MI Lee added.
Not satisfactory tn Men.
The brotherhood chiefs were posi-
Wtivc in their declaration that this
would not he satisfactory to the $780,
600 rsilroad employees represented by
hem.
NO matter what we might think
3 Individually OF your proposal" the
managers were told. we cannot hold
back the men from striking II neces-
sary to win their rights The men
know that unprecedented prosperity
has come to the railroads, They know
!. that bonuses are being given to work
= FRS In other industries In every part
II the country.
They feel that the President and
Congress gave them the Adamson law
and intended il TO go into effect Janu-
AIRY and they intend to secure their
rights under the Adamson law be-
ginning January l."
One of the railroad representatives.,
! after the meeting. said to the /. y. S.
More Critical Than in September.
II consider the situation more
critical than 1t has been since the
stirring days of last September.
Hhould not be surprised IL sporadic
strikes should break out next week
7 Some men may get away from the
leaders, but | do not expect a general
strike
The brotherhood leaders know
that il they countenance a general
strike before the Supreme Court de-
cfdes the Adamson test case. Congress
would pass the compulsory inve stiga-
:
Courts decision may be expected
about February /. That means that
/. one months over pay. or about
100000 will be held in allegiance
for the men. This sum will be paid
providing the constitutionality OF the
Adamson law is upheld.
IF the Supreme Courts decision is
against us another meeting with the
representatives of our employers will
~ hal n inf lax
stance. the law distinctly states that
Ill railway employees shall work eight
= hours day. We have no doubt but
what men in the passenger service
ware included, men who under pres
emit schedules work as a rule only
Ave or six hours out Of twenty four"
Another Bin II This One Fails.
Another bit of secret history of the
negotiations between the brother
d hoods and President Wilson was re-
vealed today. 1t became known that
the President has pledged the big
I four" another law II the Supreme
I Court throws out the Adamson act.
The statement given out by Chair
man Lee, Of the managers reads as
& Follows:
There have been several informal
u Excursions with the heads Of the
4 br0therhoods at which the possibili-
I fa49 OF Settlement OF the eight-nOur
Acontroversy was discussed, but there
n Wns such a difference Of opinion as
to what should be done that no agree
nient was possible and therefore the
discussions have been discontinued.
The railroads will await the decision
LOT tho Supreme Court In the Adam
son test case.
VIII Project Employees Rights.
by agreement with the Depart
] mont OF Justice at Washington, the
4 railroads will keep a record from
January l OF the wages Of all en-
I ployes affected by the Adamson law
2ln order that II the law Is upheld by
~ court the employees will receive
9xtra back pay due them. The rights
assof the employees in the interval will
e amply protected.
Ms The statement has been made in
3 ~ press that the conference COM
aI&tAe has been aiding in preparing
II nh. 20 be supported by the roads
& Va the employees alike and to be
ored ~ substitute for the legis-
MN proposed by the administration
hold strikes In allegiance until az
IN Investigation by public body
Go national conference committee
y! not been party 20 such 4 pro-