Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-14

which Is handling the situation Tor the
railroads, will meet tonight. The man.
ayers maintain. that there can not be
any compromise at this time, pending a
decision from the United States SUI
preme court on the Adamson law.
There is no expectation on the part
of the railroad leaders here that Presi-
dent Wilson will take any action prior
to an announcement Of the result OF
Thursdays meeting w. L. Lee, If tlSa
trainmen. declared that he and his as
sociates would go before the railroad
representatives with the entire men,
bership united on their demands.
The employees representatives denied
as absurd the insinuation to the effect
that transportation employees are not
loyal citizens because Of their attempt
to secure at this time the benefits con-
templated by the law and said the rail-
road men had given the president as
surances Of their intention to support
the country should war be declared.
Strict Secrecy Maintained.
Strict secrecy was thrown about the
meeting here today between the chiefs
of the brotherhoods and railroad Off
cials.
The brotherhood heads arrived here
today from Washington and went to
meeting with 500 chairmen of locals OF
the four organizations. Announcement
was made thatif any statement was to
be made as to the action taken 1t
would be given out tonight.
Representatives. of the railroad man
ayers said today they were still with
out information as/to the nature of the
proposition which the brotherhood
chiefs will present and reiterated that
their hands are tied until the supreme
court renders}a decision on the consti-
tutionality of the Adamson act.
The brotherhood chairmeD were to
be asked, it was understood, to ratify
the calling of strike in case the man
ayers refused their proposition.
Preliminary Strike Plans Laid.
General instructions. 1t was learned.
were issued some time ago to local
chairmen as to their duties In case of
strike They will be expected Jointly
to supervise the strikes ip the territory
in their jurisdiction, "use every hon
orable effort to further the cause" and
make daily reports to the general
chairmen.
While the chairmen were III session
the representatives OF the roads were
called in conference preparatory to the
joint session with the brotherhood
chiefs tomorrow.
While protesting not to know what
the brotherhood chief5 would demand,
railroad representatives said they
would not be surprised If they demand
ed that the provisions of the Adamson
law be put into immediate operation--
or, in substance, complete compliance
with the original dernAs,ds of a year
ago
The sepaamitTess Of eight railroad pres
idents, headed by Hale Holden. presi-
dent Of the Chicago; Burlington &
Quincy railroad that conferred with
President Wilson at the White House
when the Adamson act was passed by
congress, were in the city today keep
Would Force Federal Control.
A circular has been sent to the MEM
bers of the brotherhoods the past week.
signed by w. 8. Carter. president of the
brotherhood of firemen and enginemen,
and was made publicyesterday. 1t was
headed Compulsory Arbitration Bull
letin No. e." and in part said:
If there is a sincere public demand
that railroad employees shall not strike
for an eight-hour day then let the
federal government operate the roads
and assume the responsibility for the
wages and the working hours of the
employees"
Roads Claim Violation Of Pledge
While the national chiefs Of the four
employees brotherhoods were discuss
ing the strike situation today, repre-
sentatives of the railroad managers
made public what they declared was
a promise not to strike, made by the
brotherhood heads at a secret meeting
in Chicago on Jan. 20. They quoted
from the promise that mo radical
action would be taken until a de-
cision on the eight hour law was
handed down by the supreme court.
w. G. Lee was asked about the
statement. Mr.. Lee said he would not
discuss anybody's Interpretation Of the
Chicago statement.
''If 1t was right then 1t is right now.
he declared, land I am not going to
say anything about it."
He was asked If the present confer
ences looking toward a strike might
not be looked upon as violation Of the
Chicago statement.
"Our position has been, !" he said ITO
wait reasonable time, and who is to
be a judge Of what is q reasonable
time?"
Railroads Declare Embarsoes.
Chicago, March 14.-Certain eastern