Evening star., 1917-03-13
Railroad Labor Men
From Southeast Hold
Conference in CaDitaI

Local railroad labor leaders from the
southeast met here today to discuss the
renewed demand for an eight-hour day
to be presented to the railroads Thurs
day by chiefs of the four hrotherhoods.
and the advisability of calling an i'm
mediate general railroad strike if the
demand is refused.
Next Saturday was the time men
toned frequently as having been pro-
posed for the strike. but national Of
ficials OF the brotherhoods would
neither confirm nor deny the report
They said the question of a strike
would not be considered until word
came from sectional meetings of rail-
road labor men. to be held in another
city today and tomorrow.
About 200 men attended the meeting
here today. which was held at Bijou
Theater building, at 9th and C streets
northwest.
Silent as to Proceedings.
When adjournment was taken for
lunch none of the officials would dis
cuss the proceedings this morning.
They went into session again at 2
O. clock
The railroad brotherhood on March
wrote to President Wilson. 1t became
known today. formally notifying him
of the conference with the railroad rep
scheduled for Thursday,
March Is. In this letter the brother
hood leaders declared they We're hope
full" of making satisfactory adjust
ment of questions pending with the
railroads.
The brotherhood representatives also
Informed President Wilson that if while
they were negotiating with the rail-
roads the nation became involved in
war they would cooperate to the full
est extent with the government,
tary Wilson of the Department of La
Dor had official information today re-
garding the intention of the brother
hoods to strike unless satisfactory
days conference. An investigation was
begun through governmental agencies.
however.
Little Government Can Do Now.
1t was stated that there was little
of a definite character that the govern
ment could do until the uotcome of the
meeting in New York Thursday is
known.
At the direction of President Wilson.
Secretary Wilson of the Department of
Labor will keep in close touch with
the conference in New York Thursday,
IL
will consider further steps
Government officials regarded it as
inconceivable that there should be a
nation wide railroad strike at this time,
and while no plans have been mapped
out, it was generally taken for granted
that the President will use his utmost
efforts to prevent such strike.
Anxiety at White House.
Administration officials today re-
ceived with the deepest anxiety the
news that the railroad brotherhoods
have decided not to wait for the de-
cision of the Supreme Court of the
United States in the so-called Adam
son eight-hour law case, and that they
have issued strike order" effective
beginning Saturday, which. in case the
demands of the trainmen that the Ad-
amson law be obeyed by the railroads
are not met Thursday, will gradually
tie up the arteries Of the country.
The plans of the brotherhoods were
characterized in some official quar-
ters as closely approaching treason to
the United States at this time or inter
national difficulty. and 1t Is not pc
lieved that President wilson will SUD
nit to them. in case the strike begins,
without the strongest kind OF a
struggle on behalf of the people OF the
United States.
The plans of the brotherhoods nave
not yet been laid before the President,
because OF his Illness 1t is expected that
they will be later today.
Analysing Brotherhoods' Promises
The assurance of support in the case
of war is being analysed ,What tne
support will amount to, in case strike
has been In operation before inter
national difficulties reach their climax
in connection with the submarine war
fare of Germany and the arming or
American merchantmen, is questlon
that is giving administrator omciais
the utmost concern. A railroad strike
of merely a few days, tying up SNIP
ments Of coal. steel and othar materials
entering effectively into preparations
for national defense, would create
congestion which could not be un-
tangled in many days, and Wouid al
most tie the hands Of the government
at time when every orsahizatlon,
every individual, in the country ought
to be upholding the hands OF the gov
ernment to the fullest possible extent
ii Is pointed out. =. So
n was recalled in admtristration cir
cles that last August President wilson
ulnf1A nuh1i e-A-A AAalaH n ton tnaI IN time