The Washington herald., 1916-12-29
TRAINMEN ISSUE
STRIKE WARNING
To RAIL CHIEFS
Nationwide Tie-up Threat
ened if Adamson Law
Is Passed"
DEMANDS ARE REJECTED
Brotherhood Leaders. Managers Say.
Fear Walk-out Would Result in
Compulsory Legislation.
GBy the International New. Service,

'By the International News servies.l
New York, Dec. 2S.-"Put the Adam
son eight-hour law in effect on jan
uary l. or We will not be responsibls
for what happens"
This was the uItimatum delivered
today by the Brotherhood to the rail-
way managers at an executive con-
ference in the Grand Central Station.
A flat rejection of the demand was
made. and the Brotherhood heads-w.
G. Lee, Of the Trainmen; Warren
Stone. of the Engineers; W. S. Carter,
/ Of the Firemen, and Acting Chief Ls
Z. sheppard. OF the Conductors
abruptly quilted the conference cham
ber.
Elisha Lee. chairman Of the national
conference committee Of the railways,
gave out a statement tonight, in
winch he expressed the determination
OF the railways TO await the decision
OF the United States Supreme Court
in the Adamson law test case II the
law is upheld. the railroads will give
the men back pay from January !, Mr..
Lee added.
The Brotherhood chiefs were posi-
tive in their declaratiob that this
would not be satisfactory to the $780,
400 railroad employees represented by
them.
Cannot Prevent . Strike
No matter what We might think In
dividually Of your proposal" the man
ayers were told, we cannot hold back
the men from striking. IL necessary, %
win their rights. The men know that
unprecedented prosperity has come to the
railroads. They know that bonuses are
, being given 10 workers in other indus
tries in every part OF the country.
! They feel that the President and Con-
gress gave them the Adamson law and
intended it to 20 into effect January L
And they intend to secure their rights
under the Adamson law beginning Jan
uary L"
| One Of the railroad Representatives, aft
er the meeting said:
! Il consider the situation more critical
than il has been since the stirring days
OF last September. should not be sur
prtsed II sporadic strikes should break
out next week. Some men may get away
from the leaders but l do not expect
a general strike
! The brotherhood leaders know that II
they couRtenance a general strike before
the Supreme Court decided the Adamson
test case. Congress would pass the COM
pulsory investigation act overnight The
Supreme Courts decision may be eE-
pected about February !. That means one
months overpay-or about 10000 will
be held in abeyance for the men This
sum Will be paid. providing the consti-
tuionality Of the Adamson law is up
held.
Wilson Promised New Law.
II the Supreme Courts decision is
against US, another meeting with the rep
rcsentatives Of our employees will be held
to interpret the law For instance the
law distinctly states that all railway en-
ployCs shall work S hours q day. We
have no doubt but what men In the
Passenger service were included men
who under present schedules work as q
rule only FIVE or six hours out Of the
twenty-four"
Another bit of secret history Of the
negotiations between the Brotherhoods
and President Wilson was revealed to-
day. II became know that the President
has pledged the Big Four another
law in the event the Supreme Court
throws out the Adamson act