Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-16

(By Associated PreSs.)
NEW YORK, March 15.-With no an
nouncement as to whether any agreement
had been reached, the joint conference
today between the four chiefs of the rail
road brotherhoods for an immediate set
Element of the elgnJ-hour controversy,
adjourned after an hours discussion I'M
til o'clock this afternoon.
w. G. Lee. spokesman for the broth
erhoods. said that in the meantime no
statement of what had occurred at the
conference would be made by either side.
1t was learned however, that the ad-
journment was taken to give time for
the managers to consider in separate ses-
sion the ultimatum presented by the
chiefs threatening strike unless their
demands were complied with. The man
ayers were to give their answer at
o'clock.
The managers, after having their
luncheon brought in to them, began con-
sideration of their answer. No counter
proposition, it was learned, was made
by them. They simply listened to the
employees spokesman with little COM
ment on their part, it was said.
An impression was gained, however,
that both sides were in cOnciliatory
mood and were willing TO thresh the
controversy out if there seemed pos
sible chance of reaching an agreement
II Was D6IeNtu ny sumo lHdl tue DldH-
ayers during their interim conference
would formulate counter proposition
in which case there was a possibility
that the joint conference would go OYER.
until tomorrow.
The critical international situa-
ton is the important factor in
the conference between the broth
erhood men and railroad managers.
which met here today to prevent if pos
sible, a national strike. Both sides use
it as an argument and it is expected
that if the conference fails to achieve
it's purpose President Wilson will ap-
peal to employees and employers to set
tie their differences on the same ground.
The 100000 railroad brotherhood men.
according to their spokesman, w. G..
Lee, are determined to get the eight
hour day now because should war come
patriotism would make them feel obliged
to stay at work.
I'VE feel confident" says statement
issued by the managers, that the pa
triotism and loyalty of our men will
not countenance any rash movement
which may seriously embarrass the gov
eminent and give the impression that
this country is torn by industrial strife
and therefore is easy prey to any for
eign foe"
1T is too late for them to now pose
as patriots, hoping thereby to defeat
the just contentious of their employees
says a statement issued by the brother
hood leaders in answer to this appeal.
The railroad managers entered the
conference today with the declaration
that they would make no bargain until
the supreme court had ruled on the con-
stitutionality of the Adamson law. The
brotherhoods insist that the provisions
of the A6amson law be put into effect
at once as of January /. They demand
ten hours pay for eight hours work and
pro rata pay for all overtime. The i'm
portant difference between these de-
mands and those submitted last Deem
Der when the railroad situation first
reached a crisis is that the latter called
for time and a half pay for overtime
work
The position of the employees when the
conference opened was that if these de-
mands were not granted a strike would
begin next Saturday night and extend
through the country within the next
three weeks.
Our position" said a statement IS
sued by the brotherhoods last night,
''is the same as If there were no Adam
son law and no decision pending. Wheth-
er the decision is for or against the
law our demands which we shall present
tomorrow will be unaltered. If the law
is upheld ii would give us what we will
ask for tomorrow. If il is thrown out
we will stand pat and take no less than
the Adamson law would have given US"