New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-15
Many Men Would Refuse
for Patriotic Reasons
to Go Out Now
President Wilson
Is Ready to Act
Managers and Brotherhood
Chiefs to Meet Again To-
day in New York


"a, inevitable between the railway
h,o,herhoods and road managers, and
/, was authoritatively announced at
Warrington that President Wilson in
that event would act TO save the coun-
.ry from the calamity of a nationwide
strike. but at the same time unmis-
taxable evidence appeared Of revolt
in the ranks. Many employees would
r,fuse 10 obey a strike call. some Of
,hsm from patriotic reasons. Evidence
Of this was, perhaps, the most impor-
ant development of the last twenty
hours.
When the Brotherhood chiefs meet
ne railway managers at the Grand
Central Terminal at IL o'clock to-day
,ssy will ask that the Adamson law be
nut into effect Immediately.
The answer of the railroads, decided
vpoa at a conference yesterday of the
National Conference Committee Of the
Railways, will be refusal to take any
se,ion pending the decision Of the
csrt on the Adamson statute.
yOminally the brotherhood chiefs
vii represent a united constituency.
actually they represent two factions
ss dominant radical group which IN
rcs on immediate action regardless OF
tie effect upon the national situation
and an active minority which insists
haLss matter of patriotism. nothing
AsHk done at this time to complicate
,s situation or embarrass the Pres
ia,t
Both sides Hope for Peace
What will follow the answer Of the
rsilroads no one on either side would
snempt 70 say yesterday. Elisha Lee,
chairman Of the managers committee
expressed the hope that there would be
no strike. William G.. Lee, spokesman
Tor the brotherhood, also expressed
rope that peace would prevail, DuI
sdded that the answer would come
ls;sT in the week.
Fear of war was assigned by W. u.
lee FOR the brotherhood's insistence at
this time that the railroads agree 70
he eight-hour day with ten-hour pay
-lf war does come. IL may mean that
our men will have TO wait four or five
years for their demands" he declared.
In a statement issued by the railway
managers last night it was said:
with the situation before US, we feel
confident that the patriotism and 10y
ats Of our men will not cOuntenance
any rash movement which may serious
y embarrsss the government and give
ne impression outside our borders that
his country s torn by industrial STRIFE
and therefore an easy prey TO any for
tign foe
This morning Mr.. Lee. with Warren
S Stone. representing the Brotherhood
o. Locomotive Engineers: !. +. Shep.
psrd, Of the Brotherhood Of Railroad
Conductor. and ". 5. Carter, of the
Brotherhood Of Railroad Firemen and
tnginemen, will present what they
term compromise offer TO the railroad
managers. They will ask. according 70
w. Lee, that the railroads az once
grant the eight-hour day. with ten
so1rs' pay. irrespective OF what the
Supreme Court may decide the status
Of the Adamson law is. The compro-
nse differs from the original demands
O last summer only in that overtime
psy Is fixed at single time, instead OF
Tine and one-half, then demanded.
Statement by W. G.. Lee
William c. Lees statement as 70 the
reason why the wage question should
es pressed at this time followed the IS
'Sshee OF this statement signed By the
O'sis Of the brotherhoOds:
The nearly TWO hundred chairmen
o. the rsnspOrtation organizations
meeting here to-day, representing
number Of principal lines in East
IN territory. unanimously approved
ne compromise proposition present
q 70 The managers committee last
Oeeember. in the hope at that time OF
sP.aeeful settlement.
lhe railroads, after having refused
accept a settlement OF the eight
losr controversy proposed by Presi-
ssnt Wilson last August, and after
slng refused 20 observe the eight
,o9r law enacted By Congress, must
seeept responsibility for a strike
souid 10 take place. II is too late
mem % now pose as patriots,
.oping thereby 20 defeat the just
"stennons Of their employee
ne hayc requested a renewal OF ne
.Du4uons commencing tomorrow in
49, nope Of efecting peaceful set
te statement was issued after
.ho.r session o. the district chair
~. N ne several organizations IN
rsfr Hall, where the question Of
@y>lty u pressing action at this
va raised b. vigorous minority
nIs11l,hst This group was ranged the
.-e' N turn split into two factions,
hieh insisted on the immediate
Mf ci The original demands made
sr.,. ~ Motherhoodz last summer, and
ls~.F winch Was willing % waive .he
IN s Tor time and one-half pay for
49, 'ssItine in excess Of eight hours
g.,. tNtnty-fOur. Mr. Carter. Mr..
r.,.., pr. Sheppard and Mr. Lee were
ss,,.t Ni.h thi1 group, which hsally
-. demands for everything eH-
2" Punitive overtime.
Blame Put On Roads
a,,,t me brotherhood leaders and
ee,f..fh were in session, the national
k.sfhef committee Of the railways
n,,.i 'flng ~ the Grand Central Ter
n "a niF meeting decided 20 insist
~ thange IN the situation pending
b ,esnion of the Supreme court. and
kre', tD sr5itrate everything IL The
hsio invalid. Elisha Zee, chair