The sun., 1916-12-25
CRISIS IN big FOUR
DISPUTE THIS WEEK.
National Conference Commit
tee Of Managers to Meet
Brotherhood Chiefs.
REPEAL FOR 3 HOUR LAW
Railroad Workers Will Try to
Have Adams0n Law Test
Suit Withdrawn.

The crucial point IN the negotiations
between the "Big Four brotherhoods
and the railroads will be reached this
week when the chiefs Of the trainnen's
organizations meet the National Con.
ference Committee Of Managers. II will
have TO he decided probably before the
end of tho week whether tho factions
will unite In a demand for the repeal OF
the Adamson eight hour law.
The bfotherhoods and the roads con-
ferrcd two weeks ago In an EFFORT to es-
,ahllsh basis OF action. At that time the
big Four" leaders advocated the revo-
cation OF the law, but could gain no
promise from the managers. The re-
quest that tho roads form an offensive
alliance against the eight hour law will
be repeated this week. With II will be
presented an alternative proposition that
II the managers cannot zee their way
clear To having the law repealed
they withdraw their suit now in the
United States supreme Court to test the
Cuustltutionality OF the act.
Since the last meeting OF the corferees
the situation has suffered many changes
that may be the means OF perfecting the
alliance the brotherhoods ask.
These arc some OF tho events that
have given . new complexion to the
Negotiations:
Representative william c. Adamson.
who introduced tho eight hour bill In the
Aouso. has taken . determined stand
againse striking the law from the books.
The brotherhoods recognise It will bs
hard to persuade him TO repudiate the
measure he strove 10 earnestly to enact
into law.
President Wilson has intimated he will
Stst M m nrNv ~ ht ff.a a
programme. which includes two features
Objectionable TO both sides-compulsory
investigation and Government control In
times OF military emergency. The hope
OF both Sides has been to stave or this
legislation through a mutual compro.
mise.
Samuel Gompcrs avowediy II ono OF
the advocates for the repeal OF the law
Whether the managers will relish his
Intervention in what they regard as a
personal issue will be decided by the
negotiations.
The switchmen through arbitration
have gained the eight hour day and an
increase OF hourly wages They have
been denied punitive overtime. which
was one OF the questions that figured
In the controversy between the "Big
Four and the roads. II remains to he
seen what influence the award will have
In the new conferences
Both sides appreciate the necessity for
quick action. Time pressure will be or
them to plan their course. They will
he working against three elements:
:. Representative Adamson's deter
mlnation 10 force the compulsory in
vestisation act Immediately after the
holidays.
.. The impending decision Of the
/ Supreme Court on the constitutionalitv
| OF the Adamson law. 1t IL expected
! to hand down It's verdic, about Janu-
! AIRY -.
., President Wilson's intention to
put his railroad programme into law
before the end ~ tho short session.
II Is understood that II the brother
( hoods satisfy themselves that there 4
| no prospect OF the repeal OF the law
| they Will urge the roads TO withdraw
! their suit before January I. The argu
mcnt they will employ Is that they vii
/ cooperate with the managers on a work
: ing plan for the operation Of the law.
4 Through this means they believe the,
. VII convince the President and Repre-
| sentative Adamsnn that II Will not b
! necessary for them 10 push their com
! pusory Investigation act-th't n he will
empower commission made up OF en-
ployees and managers they will fend ~
, all such crises Ia the future AZ tina
! which led to the Adamson law