The Washington times., 1917-03-18

Secretary of Labor Wilson, and Daniel
Willard-had labored almost inces
sanity since early Friday night with
the four brotherhood chiefs and the
conference committee of railroad man
ayers.
An official of the railroad brother.
hoods who would not permit the use
of his name made the fiat declaration
that there would be no strike and that
the brotherhoods had won a complete
victory
W. q. Lee. chief Of the trainmen
and spokesman for The brotherhood
h chiefs. asserted that he believed an
amicable settlement OF all the differ
ences would be reached by Monday.
Mr.. Lees reassurinG statement
came after he was informed that
many members of the -four brother
hoods in Ohio. West Virginia Penn.
sylvania. and Illinois. failing to receive
word Of the postponement of the
strike, actually had quit work. He
said he was not surprised at this. in
asmuch as there was so little time
less than three hours-in which to
communicate with the men,
"Not Talking Idly"
4haN Shbulu Ut AulllCltnl pEOOI Oh
the fact that we were not talking idly
when we said all our members would
obey the strike order" said Mr.. Lee
I'VE knew they would-every one of
them"
II was agreed with the railroads.
he added. that in the event of any Of
the men failing to receive word of the
change in the situation and going on
strike, the railroads should not at
tempt to discipline them in any way.
Mr.. Lee said he was confident the mis-
understanding would be Strengthened
out. and that those who had left their
places would return to work.
The optimism OF Lee was not
shared by the railroad managers.
While no statement was forthcoming
from them, it was asserted that the
settlement of the differences was en-
tirely contingent upon a decision by
the Supreme, Court favorable to the
AdamsOn law.
Statement by Lane.
The following brief statement. sign
ed by Secretary Lane and the other
mediators. was issued:
AT our request, and out of an APP
probation OF the national situation,
the brotheThoods and the railroad
managers have resumed negotiations,
and in the hope that some adjustment
may be had that will avoid the neces
sity of a strike. the brotherhOOds have
wired or telegraphed their general
chairmep, asking that ali action be
postponed for forty-eight hours. And
unless prior to that time advised of
a Saff1arnanf he nil he
service under the authority already
given"
lee mediators Immediately retired
TO absolute seculsion. They had had
no sleep since they left Washington
at O'Clock Friday afternoon, and
were determined to make up their
much needed rest.
Neither would the managers have
anything to say. Elisha Lee, chair
man. sent out word that anything re-
garding tbs definite postponement
submitted BY the mediators must
come from that body
President Wilson's offer, conveyed
by the mediators, is carefully guard
ed secret. Not even an inkling of
what form it took was announced.
Questions-which took every shape
and form from an open ultimatum
from the President to a patriotic ap-
peal-were answered with the ready
reply: absolutely nothing to say"
GOmpeEs On Scene.
Samuel GOmpers, president OF the
American Federation OF Labor. one of
the. four mediatOrs. did not arrive in
this city until last night, explaining
that he had been at Atlantic City and
did not learn that his presence was
desired here until yesterday after
noon.
While IL was generally understood
that tentative agreement had been
reached, all who participated in the
conferences maintained silence until
Mr.. Lee made his statement
From other sources regarded as au-
thOritative, it was learned. however,
that three important considerations
entered into the negotiations. These
were:
Pressure of public opinion against
the strike.
The possibility OF a decision tomor-
row by the Supreme Court on the
cOnstitutionality of the Adamson
eight-hour law.
A proposal that the railroads &C
cept the brotherhoods' "interpreta.
tiOn" of the law in the event of its
being upheld.
Mr. Lee admitted that the possibil-
ity of a decision by the Supreme
Court Monday had been discussed, as