The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-03-16
National Conference Committee
Urges Brotherhoods To Refrain
From Rash Action That Might
Precipltate Strife In Crisis
POINT OUT GREAT NEED or
NATION FOR TRANSFORMATION

tA.sOoialsa Pfos. b r.dsral wIrsl...l

" 77-'-.T - 800 - = eeohN WnoiesD
NJ EW YORK, March l5-An
appeal to the patriotism of
the members Of the four railroad.
.brotherhoods not to take any
rash action that would precipi-
tate industrial strife at this time
of national crisis" was sent out
last night by the National Confer
ence committee Of the railroads,
an organization composed OF the
managers of most OF the roads in
the country.
In the appeal it is pointed out
that the country is face TO face
with one of the most serious sit
uations in its whole histQE7
urges the members of the foItcI
hoods, as well as their lea dt l3
remember this and to act a1sotd-
ingly.
Indications that the railroad workers
of the country are preparing strike
that shall tie up the traffic of the
whole land grew more evident as the
day passed yesterday. ...a, ...'. .. D..
While the national chiefs of the
railroad brotherhoods are discussing
with Eastern brotherhood officials plans
for the threatened nationwide strike
which may begin Saturday, representa-
tives of the railway managers yester-
day caused a sensation by making pub
lie what they declared to be promise
on the part Of the men not TO strike.
The promise is declared to have been
made by the brotherhoods at secret
meetings in Chicago on January l3.
The railway managers, quote the text
OF the agreement as saying:
''Radi al action will not be taken
until decision of the supreme court
Is handed down in connection with the
eight.hour law"
w. g. Lee, president. of the train
mems brotherhood, today said he
would not discuss anybody interpre-
tation of the Chicago statement;
owe never said we were going to
sit still indefinitely" he declared
'.Qur position has been that we would
wait a reasonable time and who is to
judge what that isl We have already
been severely criticised by the men for
failure to act.
The men have given US unanimous
support on the demands which we ex.
pect to present tomorrow" he added.
tWe are in no sense parties to the
agreement which has been made be-
tween the railroads and the Office Of the
encouragement AS a matter of fact,
our position is now exactly the same az
II there was no such thing as the Adam
son Law and no decision pending in the
supreme Court. IL the law is upheld,
we will then get what we asked for in
the past and intend TO ask for tomor-
row at the coming conference. If, ON
the other hand, the Supreme Court
throws out the bill as unconstitutional,
then we are going to stand pat, for we
SHALL not take less than that law gives
u.s.. G T-',..
The President let it be known that
he is amazed at the proposal of a ma
tion-wide railway strike at this jpnct.
ure in international affairs. 1t is stated
authoritatively that he expects the rail
roads and the men, in conference to.
day, to make every possible effort to
agree. r. = p ". H.. .
Reports from Chicago announced that
certain on The Eastern railroads have
notified The shippers on Western lines
Of embargoes declared by the roads,
a. a Al. Al. a a - i a.
railway brOtherhoods on Saturday.
Tho lines which are declaring embar.
goes against certain kinds of freight, in
order to keep their rails clear for emer-
geneies, are the Big Four, the New
York Central and the Baltimore & Ohio.
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