Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-20
BROTHERHOOD MEN
TO SEE PRESIDENT
Heads of Four Railroad Unions
Go to White House
Late Today.
PLANS FOR COORDINATION

While it was insisted they came only
to pay their respects" the heads OF
the four great brotherhoods made an
engagement at the White House today
to confer with President Wilson late
in the afternoon. 1t was expected that
the eight-hour- day fight and probably
the plans for cooperation of the broth
erhoods with the American Federation
of Labor would be discussed II only
briefly.
Plans for a coordination of efforts
between the American Federation of
Labor and the four great railway
brotherhoods for an eight-hour- day
fight, said to have been formulated at
a conference here YESTERDAY. are sur
The brotherhood leaders conferred
with President Gompers. President
Gompers was quoted as refusing TO
discuss the subject, on the ground that
it was to come before the convention.
Plan to Meet Railroad Fight.
! The reported plan of the labor leaders
is surrounded with many circumstances
which leads government officials inter-
ested in the congressional investigation
of the eight-hour railroad law, to be-
lieve it has been formulated to meet
a reported movement on the part of
employers to band together to fight
the eight-hour day.
Until the plans are fully disclosed.
the legislative program of the admin
istration will not be fully shaped. but
1t Is admitted that the action Of the
labor leaders will have an important
bearing upon it.
The leaders will see the President at
20 al IL h.
dent will confer with Representative
Adamson, author of the present eight
hour law and vice chairman of the
joint congressional committee which
began an investigation of the railroad
situation today.
In the Presidents address to Con-
gress next month he will make recon-
mendation for the remainder Of the
legislative program. which was unhn-
ished when Congress adjourned.
The brotherhood leaders oppose that
part of the Presidents recommended
tioas which propose investigation of
railroad controversies before strike
or lockout is permitted. The American
Federation of Labor has also gone on
record against the recommendation.
Gompers Declines to Talk.
BALTIMORE. Md. November 20
President Samuel Gompers of the
today to comment on the reported
plan for amalgamation of the four
railroad brotherhoods with other rail-
way labor organizations which are af-
filiated with the federation Of labor. in
combined effort for an eight-hour
day.
His explanation that he could not talk
about a matter that will come before
the convention in due course" taken in
connection with the announcement that
the brotherhood heads were expected to
address the federation convention to-
morrow. was regarded as an indication
that the plan will be presented to the
convention.
The federation executive council already
has reported to the convention that the
railroad brotherhoods were assured of
the support and the cooperation of the
American Federation Of Labor in their
struggle
Vice President Duncan, chairman of
the federation committee on resolu
lions, has announced that one of sew
eral resolutions in favor of universal
eight hour day will be reported as soon
as possible.