Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-14
MOT KNOWN WHAT ACTION
HE is CONTEMPLATING
Formal Orders for Nationwide
Walkout on Saturday Are
Issued to Employees.
WILL ACCEPT NO COMPROMISE
Union Demands Just What They
Were When Trouble Was Threat
cncd Last Fall.

ASfilHbI oN. March l3-ComDlets
plans of the four railroad brotherhood.
for nation wide strike to ho inau-
-uratcd next Saturday evening unless
the railroads grant their cirht-hour-
day demands were ratified here TODAY
by local union leaders from Southern
territory and by similar conference
OF representatives of the Southwest
held at st. Louis.
The brotherhood heads will tell the
conference committee in New York on
Thursday that if an agreement is not
reached this week for tho establish
mcni Of an cight-hour basic day, with
time and half for overtime, strike
orders already issued to local organ
izatlons will become effective. The
demands arc just what they were last
fan. when President Wilson averted
Il strike after the call was out by in
duciny Congress to pass promptly the
Ndamson law. which never has been
out into effect. pending a decision on
its constitutionality by the Supreme
Court,
There is every indication that the
President is prepared To move again
II II becomes apparent that the ma
ton, facing tho gravest international
crisis of its history. is about 10 have
its transportation facilities paralyzed.
Although still confined 10 his bed by
cold, the President heard reports
during the day from Secretary Wilson
on tho plans OF the brothcrhoods
There was no statement as to what
action he was contemplating. but IL Is
understood To be probahlc that his first
step may be an appeal Ia the employers
and employees to reach an agreement
as a patriotic duty.
WILL SUPPORT GOVERNMENT
SHOULD WAU BE DECLARED
1t became known during tho day
that OH Marc tho brotherhood chiefs
wrote to the President. advising him OF
the meeting to lie held with tho rail-
road committee on March 10, and as
surinG him that if the country should
become involved in war they would
co operate with the government In
every possible way.
STRIKE ON RAILROADS
WILL. BE PROGRESSIVE;
The Southeastern union officials
were told by the brotherhood chiefs
that tho strike orders had been ar
ranged as to have the wa Tx -out be-
gin on a certain group of roads at Z
7. NJ. Eastern standard time. Saturday
ana gradually extend to all roads In
the country by next Wednesday.
Each twenty four hours until We'd
nesday new group would be affected.
This progressive system. the union
men say, Was adopted to avoid paraly.-
ing traffic Suddenly throughout the
entire country and 10 give railroads
a chance to stop tho strikes spread
by meeting the union demands. If they
wish.
II was admitted that the strike
plans disclosed by tho railroads con-
ference committee in New York to-
day were substantially correct cxcept
that the specific roads 10 be affected
day by day were not named accurately.
While the brotherhood leaders would
not talk for publication about their
strike arrangements. they declared al!
plans had been given unanimous an
proval by the sectional meetings SO
far held and that similar action was
certain To be taken by other meetings
IN New York and st. Paul Tomorrow
we Viii go before the railroads
representatives Thursday with our en-
tire membership united behind our de-
mands.' said w. q. Lee, head OF the
trainmcn.
Calls for meetings OF local commit
tees tho next three days in about iif-
teen cities over the country 10 receive
final instructions for the strike went
out to-day from brotherhood headquar-
tcrs in Cleveland
STATEMENT IS ISSUED
bi bUOTHERIIOOD HEADS
After to-day's session here the fol-
lowing statement. signed by W. <.
stone Of tho engineers: w g. Lee.
Of the ira inmen: w. $. Garter. or the
hrcmcn and cnGincmcn. and l.. l..
sheppard. acting president OF the con-
ductors. was given out
All members Of the general COM
mittces representing a number OF rail
roads IN the SouthcaStcrn territory
conferred mere to-day and gave thor
ouSh consideration 10 the application
OF 'he basic cight-hour work day aS
authorized by the chief executives
which WAS presented TO and refused by
tue national conference committee OF
the railways last December 1t WAS
then hoped by tho brothcrhoods that
an arplica ton OF the so-calied Adam
son law could be agreed upon that
would give train. engine and yard em-
rio%ccs al once the benefits Intended
by the president when proposing tho
eisht-hour law. The proposition sub
mitted at to-day's meeting by tho chief
executives was unanimously indorsed
by the various general committees.
thus authorizing the chief executives
to again renew their attempt to cf-
feet peaceful settlement with the
conference committee At tho meeting
to he held in New York, Thursday.
the 18th.
"All inslnuations 10 the eject thar