The Washington times., 1917-03-15
CRISIS Is REACHED
ON RAILWAY STRIKE
New York Conference Pro-
crosses, While Chambers
Calls at White House.

the management. II was not thought
probable. however, the men woulud
agree to. any such arrangement, be
cause of the fact that ore of the most
important features of their demands
is the shortened day.
The brOtherhoods, according to Cos
sip around conference headquarters,
are I'm the final stages Of their de-
mands. Unless they force the railway
heads Immediately to make conces-
sions, railroad officials believe they
must face the prospect Of seeing
split in the workers ranks. such
split would give the railroads the ad-
vantage OF being able to deal with
each brotherhood as a separate or
ganization.
The brotherhood chiefs were to go
into conference Immediately after
lunch at their hotel headquarters to
discuss the features Of a proposition
said TO have been made them. They
planned to announce a decision by 4
O'clock.
Managers Are Cordial.
The railway managers and repre-
sentstivcs Of the big four brother
hoods went into conference at the
Grand Central terminal at IL 80. The
brotherhood representatives were cor
daily greeted by every member OF
the railway conference comr1ittee as
they walked into the room.
W. G. Lee and WIS. Stone. members
of the brotherhood committee, CAL
ried large leather portfolios.
The conference, set for II o'clock,
was delayed by separate preliminary
meetings by both sides. The railway
men talked over details behind closed
doors at the terminal. while the broth
erhood representatives were doing
the same thing at the Belmont Hotel.
The first managers arriving at con-
ference headquarters gave out "unof-
hcially' the tip that the railroad at
tttude would be conciliatory and that
the managers would be inclined to
meet the four brotherhoods' demand
with a-compromise.
Thee only tendency of compromise
the brotherhoods had shown was a
willingness to pro, rate pay, instead
OF time and a half, for overtime above
eight hours.
To Unge Compromise.
There was evidence that the rail-
way managers would seek to nego-
tiate over compromise proposals, hop
Ing to postpone strike action until
Monday, when they believe the SUI
preme Court may make known its de-
cision regarding the constitutionality
of the Adamson eight-hour law
The probability of the nation being
drawn into war is being used as an
argument in support of the contentious
OF each camp. The railway managers
declare that with war menaced. the
ghnm1d he 80, &.
preme Court decision on the Adam
son law.
w. C. Lee. speaking for the brother
hoods. said:
This country is in danger of war.
We may 20 to war next week. next
month-any time soon. II America
goes TO war, the men know that, as
patriotic citizens. they must then stick
TO their posts. They also know that il
we go 10 war it may be years before
they get the eight-hour day. Therefore.
we are going to get the eight-hour day
before We go to war"
Ench Accuses Other.
Each side went into the meeting
accusing the other of being unpatri-
otic. This city, and in fact the ma
tion at large, apparently refuses to
take the threat Of strike seriously.
The whole matter seems TO rest now
with President Wilson. Certainly
II each camp holds to declarations
the strike will be called to begin at
Q o'clock p. m. Saturday.
Every one connected with the stu
alton expects the president to act
and act promptly when the time ar
rives.
Daniel Willard, president OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railway, and Hale
Holden, chairman or the NatioanI
Conference committee. who were with
the President last August at the
strike conferences are in the city and
could be summoned 10 Washington
on very short notice.
Won't Hire breakers.
CHICAGO. March 15-western rail.
roads will put any brotherhood strike