Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1917-03-22
Great Patriotism Exhibited by
Complete Surrender Of the
Railway Managers to De-
mands Of Brotherhoods
International Situation Civ
en- as Reason.

Gil 90 4NV0CVAAs
(By the Associated Press1
New York, March 19.-The
railroad strike has been averted.
Yielding to the appeal of Presi-
dent Wilson and facing the prob
ability of this country's entrance
into the world war, the railroads
early today granted the demands
of the four employees brother
hoods for a basic eight-hour day.
Telegraph wires this morning
carried throughout the United
States messages from the broth
erhood chiefs resembling the or
ders for the Inauguration of the
great progressive strike at z
o'clock tonight.
The decision is regarded as a
complete surrender to the broth
erhoods, brought about, however,
after the patriotism Of the rail-
road managers had been put to
the test. The presidents medi-
ators playing what they consid-
cred their last trump card, were
not successful in their mission
until after more than so hours of
anxious conferences, all of which
pointed within a short time be-
fore the decision was announced
to an inevitable deadlock.
Secretary Of the Interior Lane and
the other mediators were visibly af-
fected when told of the action of the
railroad managers. Mr.. Lane sent
Immediately for the committee of the
railways and turning to Elisa Lee,
their spokesman, said:
"This is magnificent thing that
you have done for your country. 1t
will go down in history as one of the
greatest things you ever did"
w. G. Lee, head of the trainmen,
announced that orders would go for
ward at once informing all district
chairmen of the brotherhoods of the
successful outcome Of the confer
ences.,s
BY the terms of the settlement the
combined salaries list of the railroads
will be increased 60,000,000 a year,
according to conservative estimates.
The number of workmen profting
by this increase will be more than
100000.
That the crisis resulting from the
sinking of three American ships by
German submarines was the prime
factor in clearing the situation and
restoring the country to normal con-
ditions insofar as its transportation
facilities were concerned, was con-
ceded by all. The presidents medi-
ators had made no secret of the fact
that they viewed the outlook with
pessimism. It was evident that. the
strike undoubtedly would become ef-
fective unless something more inter-
vened than the mere suggestion that
the severance Of diplomatic relations
with Germany might lead to open
boat hostilities.
The presidents mediators again
communicated to the railroad man
ayers, however, with the result that
hey are said to have voted unani-
mously to yield to the demands of the
brotherhoods in order 'that neither
at home nor abroad should there be
fear or hope that the efficient opera
tion of the railroads of the country
will be hampered or impaired.
The mediation negotiations and re-
suits we're summed up in statement
issued today:
We desire to express our appre-
citation of the large and patriotic
action Of the railroad managers
committee which has put beyond
preailventure the possibility of
nationwide strike. The railroads !
have met the full demands Of the
Adamson .edght-hour law. This
concession was secured as the cul-
mination Of two days and nights Of
negotiations. 83.
Our first effort was 20 secure 4
pOstponement Of the strike which
was Axed for ?aturday night. This
uAN W