The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-11
P-0therhoods to Propose
Compromise, However Su. ;
preme Court Decides.
4CO REPRESENTATIVES
OF MEN IN CLEVELAND
After Nine-Hour Meeting,
Proposal to Meet Road
Heads Is Announced.


the railroad eight-hour Controversy.
irrespective of whether the supreme
court holds tho Adamson law uncon-
stitntionai or constitutional, fore
cast In Cleveland today by ac-
tion OF the biggest and most
important conference OF brother
hood leaders held since the grave hour
six months ago. when nation wide
strike imrcnded.
Announcement OF tho four unions
compromise plan. to be thrcshcd out
at a meeting with railroad officials in
New York next Thursday. came stimuli
taneously with the revelation that the
brotherhood chiefs had notified Presi-
dent Wilson that a strike or threat
encd strike wonld not be permitted to
embarrass the government In case the
United States was drawn into war.
Will Aid Government.
Following the meeting OF 400 chair
men Of the four transportation orr
ganizations who gathered here for
nine hour meeting today. came the
disclosure that n letter had been sent
two days ago to the president. virtu-
ally committing the unions to aban-
donmcnt of any labor crisis that might
Chairincn of general committees and
chairmGn of local committees came to
the Cleveland meeting from all parts
of the middle states today. All the
vice presidents Of the four organixa-
tons were also present. The chair
mon represented the Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Engineers, the Order OF
Railway Conductors, the brotherhood
j of Locomotive F'iremen and Engineers
and the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen.
A statement was given out signed
by Warren S. Stone, grand chief Of
the engineers, l.. e. Sheppard, acting
president of the conductors. w. s.
Carter, president OF the firemcn and
engineers. and w. G. Lee. president of
the trainmcp. announcing that a plan
Of settlement to the controversy had
been drafted by the brotherhood heads
and submitted to and approved by tho
chairmcn.
Compror,se Plan.
While the details of the settlement
plan were not divulgcd 1t was stated
that the union representatives would
lay ,beforc railroad officials n COM
promise plan based on the employees
fight for an eight hour day.
1T was decided to renew efforts tC
obtain "A settlement" the official state.
ment said, "and n meeting has beer
arranged with the national conference
committee of the railways to be held
in New York on Thursday March l5.'
. President Lee, of the trainmnn
speaking for the brotherhood chiefs
announced that a meeting similar Il
tOday's conference would he held ir
Washington next Tuesday, when tn,
plan will be presented for approval Il
the cfairmcn of southern railway sys.
tens. The plan will be submitted
!, for the approval Of the chairmcn o
eastern roads at meeting In New
; York next Wednesday.
Today's meeting was attended b.
representatives OF men employed oi
the New York Central lines. east ant
west of Buffalo, including tho Michi
: gan Central. the Zig Four and th'
Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad and tn
Pennsylvania. Nickel Plate. Baltimor'
Il Ohio and other roads.
. l.... Decision No Matter.
"The settlement conference witt
the railroad officials will have nothin,
} to do with whatever action the NJ
preme court takes In the present tes
OF the Adamson law" President Lee
said. AN effort will he made &
reach and agreement that will brin
\ peace between the rvireads and tn
men IL the law liz held constitutions
An effort also will be made to wor
out plan that will effectively talk
;. the place Of the Adamson law in cas-
|, 1T Is held unconstitutional"