The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1917-03-22

New York, March 2D-confer-
enches will be held here tgusorrow
between the railway mana1krs and
the brotherhood chiefs to.aecide a.
inasmuch as the new a9reenenf is
to be retroactive, beginningsJanu-
airy I, it is estimated, unofficially,
that the men have comina 50 them
between $4,000 o0 and }$773;0o1pO0.
New York, March 2O-Yielding to the
appeal Of President Wilson, and facing
the probability, Of this conntry's en-
trance into the world war, the rail-
roads early today granted the demands
OF the four employees brotherhoods
for a basic eight-hour day. The tele-
graph wires this morning are carrying
throughout the United States messages
from the brotherhood chiefs resembling
he orders for the Inauguration of the
great progressive strike at Z O'Clock to-
night.
The conference committee of railroad
managers early this morning authorized
President Wilson'S mediators to make
whatever arrangements were necessary
with the railroad brotherhoods to call
off the threatened strike.
The decision is regarded as a com
plete surrender to the h~rotherhoods
brought about. however, after the
patriotism of the railroad manager had
been put to a test. The presidents
mediators, playing what they consid-
cred their last trump card, were not
successful in their mission until after
more than SO hours of anxious con-
%ferences, all of which pointed within a
short time before the decision was an
%nounced. to an inevitable deadlock.
Secretary of the Interior Lane, and
he other mediators were yisibly af-t
fected when told of the action of the
railroad managers. Mr.. Lane sent i'm
f@~L 4I~- -
railroad managers and, turning to
Elisha Lee. their spokesman. said:
Lane Praises Railroads.
This is a magnificent thing that
you have done for your country. It will
go down in history as of the great
est things you ever did,"
The brotherhood chiefs, who already
had left the hotel where the conferences
were being held. and had retired for
the night, apparently convinced that a
settlement of the differences could not
be reached, were next Their
faces showed the relief they felt from
the strain under which they had labored
since early Friday evening with the
presidents committee. w. g. Lee, head
of the trainmen, announced for them
that orders would go orwar at once
informing all district ckairmen of the
br~otherhoods of the successful outcome
of the conferences. i.
oOUsOOO wen 0St iHCTEaSe.
BY the terms Of the settlement, h
combined salary list of the railroads
will be increased approximately 500
000,0 a year according to conservative
estimates. The number of workmen
profiting by this increase will be more
thai 300,0 900.
That the crisis resulting from the
sinking of three American ships by
German submarines was the prime
factor in clearing the situation and re-
storing h country to normal condi-
tons so far as its transportation facill-
ties were concerned, was conceded by
all.
Friendly Feeling Expressed.
The agreement which averted the
strike was signed in Secretary Lanes
room at 5:15 this morning, just "a 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 at
tache6 his signature the tension in the
little group relaNed. The managers
and the chiefs shook hands with one
another and with each of the Washing
ton mediators. j.
The sun was just touching the white
fronts of the neighboring skyscrapers
with light. AS the dozen broke into
little group the room suddenly be-
came silent when W. III. Carter, of the
firemen and engineers, looking out said,
Why, look out there. It's dawn of a
new day"
Most of those present thought he had
expressed the feeling of all, for it was
the first time in many years that there
has been such evidence of friendly re-
lations between the men who run trains
and the men who manage them.
-
TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.
New York, March 20-The presi-
mediation committee sent the following
letter to Elisha Lee, chairman of the
committee Of the railways.
I'VE are in receipt of your favor of
his date, placing in u hands for i'm
mediate adjustment the matter of h
differences between your committee
and the railroad brothers.
we nave brought this letter before
the brotherhoods with the statement
that, in u judgment, it was advisable
to put into effect the provisions of h
Adamson law, whether it be held valid
or otherwise. This was acceptable to
them. Thus by our own action, urged
thereto by the highest reasons of
tional concern, o have averted a ma
tional calamity.
I'VE would be delinquent in a true
sense Of gratitude il we failed to ex-
press u sincerest appreciation of the
action you nave taken. We trust that
it promises a long period of hearty CO.
operation between the railroad manage
ment and their employees"
! Agreement Is Signed.
The agreement signed by represent
tatiyes Of the brotherhoods of the roads
and by the commission reads as fol-
lows:
TN all road service, except passen-
ger, where schedules now read 100 miles
or less. nine O 10 hours or less, over
time at 10 or II miles per hour, insert
tofoh+ ~, ~, ~, 1ocu ifnrE y ho sir da " q md
s12lla miles per hour for a speed basis
for the purpose of computing overtime.
Overtime to be paid for at not less
than one-eighth OF the daily rate per
houp.
I all yard service. switching and
hosiery service. where schedules now
read 10, II or II hours or less, shall
constitute a days work insert eight
hours or less than constitute a. days
work at present 10 hours pay.
Overtime to bespaid for at not less
than 4~one-eighth Of he daily rate per
hour,