Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-28
demands which are satisfactory to the
|twenty-four officials.

Hour Of Strike Is Set.
II no agreement is reached here. train
men officials declared the strike would b
ordered at an hour already agreed upon
and which is reported to be sometime FIJI
day or Saturday.
When the mass meeting Of the brother
hoods ended shortly after 8 o'clock the
exodus of the trainmen began.
| 1t was announced that the COMMITTEES OF
| twenty -four had been given full power
of the committee of GAO to act In the
continuing negotiations, but with instruc-
tons to stand firmly for the en1ght- hour
day and ten hours pay. without aroitra-
ton. Upon any counter proposal which
does not interfere with these two basic
demands the committee of twenty-four
may act without reference to the fuli
committee.
An the brotherhood committeeman
leaving for their homes carried full In
structions as to how to proceed In case
a strike is called. They had official
notices, duly signed and sealed. that q
strike had been called, and will forward
locals Immediately upon arriving home,
subject to release by telegraph. II a
break comes, the committee here will ad-
wise the chairmen of the various lines,
who will communicate with their local
| chairmen.
| All Preparations Made.
Every detail is covered in the instruc-
lions to minor officials. Especially prom
the warning that the employees shall re-
main off company property once strike
! is declared.
| In so far as could be learned. the
plan of the brotherhoods to continue
! Nr,1N f~o tins to h0 n
border enough passenger trains to keep
necessary business moving, and, pos
sibIy, some milk trains. announced last
week. has not been abandoned.
The sixty-four small lines employees,
| whose grievances the railroad man
ayers have declined to arbitrate, would
be included in general strike order, 1T
was Understood. If an amicable settle
ment is effected, they will not be in
cluded, as the managers aver they have
no right to act for them.
Busy Four-Hour Meeting.
The powers were given to the COM
mittee of twenty-four at a busy four
hour meeting yesterday. Angered by
their futile ten-day wait here in an eff
fort to effect settlement with the rail-
road executives, the men went to their
hall insistent that all save a few Of
| them be permitted to go home and pre-
pare for a strike. Had the President
not been concerned in the negotiations.
it was freely said, they would have
voted yesterday to withdraw from the
negotiations Immediately.
The plan finally adopted was ready
for consideration when the meeting be-
gan. The heads of the four brother
hoods and their vice presidents worked
it out.
Every possible scheme that means
no 90 inc nf {v,
strike had been included. The COM
mittee of twenty-four. with the excep-
ton of the four brotherhood heads. was
named from among general chairmen
whose homes are within twelve hours
of Washington.
The brotherhood heads expect to re-
main here indefinitely II a strike comes.
They want men about them whose
homes are not too far away.
Cheers for Presidents Plan.
The proposal to stand by the Presi-
dents plan in general. and particu-
larly regarding the eight-hour day.
was adopted amid wild cheers.
Every speech made by the brother
hood leaders was received enthusiast
ically. They thanked the men for their
patience throughout the long ordeal
here, urged them, IL strike came. to
conduct II In an orderly manner, pre-
dicted victory in the end and warmly
praised the President.
Once. free to go home, the men wore
as happy as schoolboys. Some Of them
almost ran to their hotels.
Heads Of the four organizations re-
ceived the leaders from various sec
lions of the country and passed out all
of the detailed instructions regarding
the conduct of the proposed strike.
Copies of instructions mailed were to
those committeeman who left for their
homes Saturday.
Brotherhood men leaving last night
were divided in their opinion as to
what the outcome would be. All said
they were hopeful of avoiding strike,
but that they were we'll prepared for
one if it should come. They have suffi-
cient funds to finance a strike for some
time, they said, and have no fear Of the
financial aspect of a walkout.
Spies in Their Counsels.
After the last meeting yesterday it
developed that the brotherhood men
have suspected for several days that
they had three spies in their midst who
were reporting regularly to the rail-
road heads In some mysterious manner