Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-14
Railroad Strike
 Again Looms Up
TROUBLE OVER APPLICATION OF
 THE ADAMsoN LAW
IN A DEADLOCK STAGE
Representatives of the Railroads and the Four Brotherhoods Unable to Agree Upon the Mileage System of Compensation.

New York, Nov. 13.-Danger of a ma tlon-wide railroad strike, which was believed to have been averted by the passage of the Adamson eight hour law, has not entirely disappeared, it developed here today when represen- tatives of the railroads and the four brotherhoods, comprising 100000 em- ployes, failed to reach an agreement as to the proper application of the new law. The stumbling block, both sides admitted, was the existing mile age system of compensation.
 Announcement of Deadlock.
 The announcement of the latest deadlock between the railroads and their employees came at the conclusion of an all-day conference between the National Conference Committee of the railways and the brotherhood chiefs, which had been arranged in Septem- Der.
 Statement by Railroad Manager.
 ''We met" said Elisha Lee, chair man of the railroad managers and the conference, for the purpose of ex- changing ideas on the application and operation of the Adamson law. We failed to reach an agreement and we are not certain that another meeting will take place.
 Brotherhood's Viewpoint.
 William G. Lee. president of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, spokesman for the employees. in the absence of A. B. Garretson, of the Or der of Railway Conductors, declared in a statement that in the event of evasion, by the railroads of the Adam son law, summary action would be taken by the brotherhoods. He said that the strike order which was di- rectly responsible for the law, was still in effect and the brotherhoods would not hesitate to enforce it if the occasion warranted it.
 To Test ConstitutionaIity.
 "The brotherhoods asked for this conference' said Mr. Lee At the morning. session we discussed the ap- plication of the law and found that there was no basis upon which we could possibly agree Another setback, besides the eliminatien eof the mileage system, the-deternlination of the railroads to coIitinue their suits to de- ternine the constftutionality of the law"
 Trouble Over Mileage System.
 The mileage system of compensa- ton, the basis of which is the number of miles traversed by a train crew and not the actual hours of work, is the crux of the new problem that, a rail- road authority said. may result in the development of a situation similar to the one which brought into being the Adamson law.
 Difference as to How Law Applies.
 Frankly said Chairman Lee of the conference committee in discuss ing this phase of the situation, the trouble lies in the fact that neither the railroads nor the men know definitely how the law should be applied.
 'sWe have our own ideas as to how the law should be applied-if at all, as suits to test it's validity are now pend ing; while tine brotherhoods have their own ideas"
 Another Conference Probable.
 Chairman Lee added that he could not predict the probable outcome of the difficulty. He said, however, that negotiations might be resumed by call ing another. conference. This possi- bility. was strengthened by the an nouncement of the brotherhood chiefs that they, with the exception of Pres ident Lee of the trainmens organiza- ton, proposed to remain here for sev- eral days.
 President Lee left for his home in Cleveland tonight. He said he intend ed to join his confreres Monday in Washington, where they will go to at tend the opening session of the New lands Investigating committee.