New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-30
Railroad Men Angry
Over Failure Of
S-HOur Plans
FUTURE ACTION
PUT UP TO UNIONS
Gain by Switchmen Adds
TO Ill-Feeling Against
Leaders

Facing trouble within their organiza-
tions. the chiefs OF the railroad
brotherhoods left New York last night
TO explain their failure 10 have the
Adamson law made effective January ]
Because Of the threat Of trouble
within tho unions as much a. through
the agreement made with the railroad
managers. mon closest in touch win
the situation said yesterday that there
was not the slightest chance Of strike
In explanation Of their failure "a
square results with the expectations Of
their men the big four" chiefs yes
terdsy sent their followers statement
OF their efforts to obtain an eight-hour
day with ten hours pay, their inter
probation of the Adamson law as en-
acted, and the refusal Of the railroads
with the approval of the Department
Of Justice, to pay the new scale pend
ing action by the Supreme Court of the
United States
Warren s. Stone, chief Of the loco
motive engineers, is authority for the
statement that the letter to the men
carried no recommendations.
"The whole matter is being sent back
to the men," he said. ANY action will
have TO originate with them, as IT al
ways does"
Statement by the Chiefs
On all other points Mr.. Stone was
silent, declaring that the public would
have TO make its own Interpretation OF
the statement issued earlier in the day
by himself and his associates. Here is
the statement:
while meeting with President Will
son last August at his insistence ouI
committeeman waived their request for
time and one-half for overtime, which
was fully 90 per cent Of their origi-
nal demand, and at the suggestion OF
the President. accepted this PROPOSE
ton. which was;
Concession Of eight-hour day.
Postponement Of the other de
mand as TO payment for overtime
and the counter suggestions Of the
railway managers until experience
actually discloses the conse-
ouences Of the eight-hour day.
In the mean time, the constitution.
by authority Of the Congress. Of
commission or body Of men. ap-
pointed by the President, 20 OBJ
serve, investigate and report upon
these consequences, with recon-
! mendation.
Then such action upon the facts
as the parties 10 the present con
troversy may think best
"Our men believed that in so doinj
they would secure the eight-hour basic
/ day at once, but the enactment of tn
Adamson eight-hour law, effective Jan
nary |. 1917, made il necessary 70
them to wait patiently until that time
20 find later that the railroad com
panies had instituted injunction
against the governments enforcement
Of the eight-hour law. And at this tim
the entire matter is in litigation, sucl
litigation making it impossible for tn
special committee appointed by tn
President. as provided for in the law
10 proceed with their investigation a
OF January /, and the probability OF al
ditional litigation being commenced b,
the railroads. even though the law j
declared constitutional by the Suprem
Court. will seriously affect such inves
tigation.
In fact. it can and probably will de
lay the investigation until the commits
sion cannot make its investigation a
the law contemplates, thereby defeating
the intent of the law and at the SAM
time postponing the benefits promise
by the law. which will unquestonabl.
. meet with general dlssauSiacNol
among the membership of the rsilroa'
organizations.
"The entire situation is 10 be place
before the membership by special cir
ular"
Lee Refuses to Explain
When this statement was issued a
the Hotel Bristol, William G.. Lee
president OF the Brotherhood OF Rail
road Trainmen, was asked what !
meant.
Make your own Interpretation" h
replied.
What is yours ?" he parried.
"The American people would like e
know what yours is? ," the interviewe
answered.
"The American people can max
/ Io 4