Evening star., 1917-03-19
Managers Surrender Com
pIeteIy to Brotherhoods Just
as "New Day Dawns."
-EMPl OYERS PUT NATION
ABOVE PRIVATE INTERESTS
Prove Patriotism by Ending Long
Struggle-Mediators Laud At
titude of Executives.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, March Io.-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 basic eight-hour day.
The telegraph wires this MORN
ing carried throughout the United
States messages from the brother
hood chiefs resembling the orders
for the Inauguration of the great
progressive strike at 7 o'clock to-
night.
The decision is regarded as a
surrender to the broth
erhoods, brought about, however,
after the patriotism of the rail-
road managers had been put to
the test.
Break Seemed Inevitable.
Tho Dros;5a,t,s ,,,odyators rJox e
what they considered their last trump
card. were not successful in their mis-
sion until after more than fifty hours
Of anxious conferences. all Of which
pointed within a short time before the
decision was announced to an newt
able deadlock.
The agreement which averted the
strike was signed in Secretary Lanes
room at 5:15 this morning, just few
hours after the managers had agreed
to abandon the long and bitter fight
they have made against the brother
hoods demands. AS the last Of the
nine TO sign it attached his signature
the tension in the little group relaxed.
The managers and the chiefs shook
hands with one another and with each
Of the Washington mediators.
The sun was just touching the white
fronts of the neighboring skyscrapers
with light. AS the dozen broke into
little groups the room suddenly be-
came silent when w. III. Carter OF the
firemen, and engineers, looking out.
said:
Of a new day.
had expressed the feeling of all. for
il was the first time in many years
that there has been much evidence OF
friendly feeling between the men who
run the trains and the men who man
age them.
What Men Will Receive.
The agreement signed this morning
means that the brotherhoods have won
an important victory. The men will
receive their present ten hours pay for
eight hours work with one-eighth of
the present daily rate per hour for
overtime. Their original demands call
ed for time and a half for overtime on
the same basic day, but in the nego-
for overtime on pro rata basis, as pro-
yided in the Adamson act.
II is estimated that the new pay
agreement will mean an additional ex-
pense to the railroads of about $60,000.-
900 a year.
row between the railway managers and
the brotherhood chiefs to decide basis
of computation of back pay. lnasmuch
as the new agreement Is to be retro
active beginning Januar.t 1. 1t is
astinated unofficially that the men
have coming to them between $12.-
D0o 900 and S13,000.000 in oack wages.
The record of every mans work by
mileage and hours has been kept since
January / ftr use in case the unieed
states Supreme Court upheld the
Adamson act effective on that date
il constitutional.
IT was explained on behalf of the
managers committee this morning that
if the Supreme Court declared the
TO President Wilson's commission,
headed by George w. Goethals, to COM
pute the award of back pay for the
men. 1t was declared that If the Adam
son act should be found unconstitu-
.ional the roads then could assume the
TASK of computation.
While no understanding has been
reached, it was said, possibility ex-
sted that both sides would agree to-
morrow to leave the computation to
he Goethals commission, regardless of
which way the highest tribunal might
decide.
Mediators Visibly Affected.
Secretary Lane and the other media
tors were visibly affected when told of
the action of the railroad managers.
Mr.. Lane sent Immediately for the COM
nittee of the railroads and, turning to
Elisha Lee, their spokesman. said:
This is a magnificent thing that you
have done for your country. 1t will go
iown in history as one of the greatest
things you ever did.
The brotherhood chiefs, who already
had left the hotel where the confer
.nces were beng held and had retired
for the night, apparently convinced
.hat settlement u the differences
.nuid - ue reached. were summoned
,ext Their faces showed the relief
-hev felt from the strain under which
irey had labored since early Friday
,vening with the Presidents committee.
w q. Lee, head of the trainmen. an
,ounced for them that orders would
N forward at once informing all dis
7'rict chairmen of the brotherhoods of
he successful outcome of the confer
,nces.
Triple Sinking Influenced Decision.
That the crisis resulting from the sink
pe of three American ships by German
,ubmarines was the prime factor in
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