South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-23
PROMISE To
AVOID A RAIL
TIE UP IN WAR
RrOtherhOOdS Agree to COnSid-
er Any Solution of Wage
Demands Should Rail-
road Strike Threaten.

ment of any wage controversies
during the war was made Thursday
at a conference between Pres't
Wilson, the four brotherhood heads
and members of the federal media
ton board.
AS a result of the conference
the brOtherhoOds are left free TO
formally present and urge their
new demands upon the carriers un-
der a virtual agreement with the
president TO avoid a strike or other
cause of a transportation tie-up un-
til after full discussion and cOnsid-
Grafton.
A definite issue in the wage ne
gotiatiOns, it was assured, could not
be reached before the first of the
year, as the demands will not be
presented until Dec. /. A furthe.
development will depend, first upon
the carriers disposition Of the new
demands, and second, in event of a
deadlock, upon further negotiations
agreed 10 at Thursdays meeting at
the white house.
Wilson Urges Patriotism.
Cryptic statements were issued by
Pres't Wilson and brotherhood
chiefs after the two hour confer
ence, in which the president an
nounced that the brotherhood heads
agree, 'in case of any critical situa-
ton or controversy 10 con-
slider any proposed solution in a
spirit Of accommodation and pa
triotic purpose" The brotherhood
statement was in similar vein, de-
claring willingness to discuss and
consider any solution If
situation should arise which threat
ems the interruption of transporta-
ton"
What attitude the railroads would
assume as a result of Thursdays
conference was not made known.
Several days ago through the rail
roads war board, they agreed in the
event of a crisis to place their in
terests in the hands of the president
for such disposition as he should
deem best in the public interest.
The board was in session much OF
the day but adjourned before the
result Of the white house conference
became known.
Expect no Immediate Move.
It was believed generally that
there would be no further move in
the present controversy until after
the brOtherhoods present their de-
mands for a wage increase affecting
400, 900 operatives and involving
increased expenses to the railroads
OF about 100000 annually
Should the representatives of the
roads and the brotherhoods be un-
able to agree the situation then
would be placed in the hands of the
government under Thursdays agree
ment and the roads decision TO
leave their interests to the presi-
dents disposition.
Soon after the close of Thursdays
conference, which was said to have
been most earnest and at times ami
mated the heads of the railroad
brotherhoods issued this statement:
''The men who comprise the rail-
way brotherhOods are thorough
Americans. therefore they believe in
American standards Of living and IN
consequence Of this realize that
standards of pay that were estab-
lished in 1912 and 1913 are made
quate to meet present day prices for
commodities and for that reason are
demanding an increase in present
rates that will meet half at least OF
the increase in cost Of those things
which they are compelled to pur-
chase.
Ready TO Cooperate.
They want to cooperate in every
way that is at all possible in the
successful prosecution Of the war
and they fully realize that the most
serious thing that could occur dur
ing the conduct Of war would be any
interruption Of railway transporta-
ton and they in common with great
body Of the people are determined
70 do everything within the bounds
of reason to avoid such Interrupt
ton.
Being fully conversant with their
attitude and desire in this matter
we are in a position to give the as
surance that if a situation should
arise which threatens the Interrupt
ton Of transportation the men
WnDm we represent WOulQ De more
than willing 20 discuss and consider
any solution Of the difficulty which
presented itself, doing so in the
spirit Of patriotic cooperation and
would undoubtedly cooperate with
the government 10 the utmost ex-
tent in arriving at a Just, equitable
as well as patriotic conclusion"
Wilson Makes Statement.
After the foregoing had been
made public Pres't Wilson issued
this statement:
in addition 10 the statement
given out by the heads OF the rail-
way brotherhoods the president au-
thorized the representatives OF the
press 10 say that he had got from
The interview exactly the impression
conveyed by the statement OF the
heads Of the brotherhoods. namely
that the men whom they represent
ed were not inclined 10 contend for
anything which they did not deem
necessary 10 their own maintenance
and the maintenance Of their fam
lilies and that they would be willing
in case any critical situation or
controversy should arise 90 consider
any proposed solution in a spirit OF
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