The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-03-15

tralnmen.
Railroads assert they will look to
president to prevent tie-up.
Wilson is ready to step into breach.
Brotherhood chiefs declare compro-
mise will not be accepted; assert eight,
hour question should be settled before
war comes.
Conference in New York vii, be
held tomorrow. WaIkout is set for
Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Washington, March 14.-Declaring
the problem of an eight-hour day
should be solved "and industrial peace
restored before our country becomes
involved in war;" the presidents of the
four great railroad brotherhoods here
in a public statement announced the
railroad employees in the Southeast
had indorsed their latest elght-hOur de-
mand.
The brotherhood chiefs said they
would "Once more seek Il peaceful set
Element" at a conference with the rail-
road managers in New York Thurs
day.
They declared the railroads had
sought to postpone settlement of the
demands until either a war or a
panic" should halt the negotiations.
Assures Loyalty in War.
The announcement carried the as
surance that in the event of war the
railroad employees would support the
country"
1t is pointed out that for more than
year the railroad men had sought to
settle the eight-hOur day question. The
statement was issued by w. G. Lee,
president of the trainmen, and was
signed by himself, l.. Il. Sheppard act
ing president of the conductors; w. S.
Stone, president of the engineers, and
w. S. Carter, president of the tiremen.
The statement said:
"All the members of the general COM
mitteeS representing number of rail-
roads in the southeastern territory
conferred here and gave thorough con-
sideration to the application of the
basic eght-hour work day as author
lied by the chief executives, which was
presented TO and refused by the nation
al conference committee Of the rail-
ways last December.
at was then hoped by the brother
hoods that an application. Of the So
called Adamson law could be agreed
upon that would give train, engine and
yard employees at once the benefits in
tended by the president when propos-
ing the eight-hOur law.
Charge Purposefu Delay.
"The proposition submitted at yes
terdays meeting by the chief execu-
tives was unanimously rendered by the
various general committees, thus au-
thori2ng the chief executives to again
renew their attempt to effect peace
full settlement with the conference
committee az the meeting to be held In
New York Thursday, March 10.
"All insinuations that transportation
employees are not loyal citizens be-
cause of their attempt at this time to
secure from their employers the bene-
fits contemplated by the law is absurd
and assurances of our willingness and
intention to support our country,
should war be declared, has been given
to the president Of the United States.
Surely the public must recognize
that for more than a year we have
made every effort to secure
shorter workday and our member
ship realizes that this question should
he disposed of and Industrial peace
restored before our country becomes
involved in war, which now seems
probable.
Seemingly 1t has been the purpose
Of the railroad companies to postpone
final settlement Of this question until
either panic or a war should defeat
our demands"
President Ready to Act.
President Wilson will act PROMPTLY
and decisively to prevent any general
tieup Of the commerce of the country
through a great railroad strike during
the present international situation.
Convinced both the railroads and
their employees will put aside their
own differences to join in the defense
of the country, the president Is pre-
pared to step once more into the con
troversy If the strike threat becomes
acute.
Gets Data on Situation.
Although confined To his room, the
president conferred at length with
Secretary of Labor Wilson ana re-
ceived detailed report of the sltua-
tion. He will be kept advised as TO
the progress of discussion between the
big four brotherhood chiefs and the
conference committee of railroad man
ayers In New York which begins Thurs.
day.
Under his direction the federal board
Of mediation and Cancellation will be
prepared 10 act at once ana exert all
of the federal governments influence
OruanIzlnu Cavalry