Evening star., 1917-03-15

reached, the joint conference to-
day between the four chiefs of the
railroad brotherhoods and the
railroad managers to consider the
demands of the brotherhoods for
an immediate settlement of the
eight-hour controversy, adjourned
after an hours discussion until 4
o'clock this afternoon.
Managers to Confer.
W. G. Lee. spokesman for the brother
| hoods. 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
session the ultimatum presented by the
chiefs, threatening strike unless their
demands were complied with. The
managers were to give their answer
at o'clock.
Chance for a Compromise.
The managers. after having their
luncheon brought in to them. began
consideration of their answer. No
counter proposition, 1t was learned
was made by them to that OF the
brotherhoods. They simply listened to
the employees spokesman with little
comment on their part. It was sasd.s
An impression was gained. however.
that both sides we're in a conciliatory
mood and were willing to thresh their
controversy out If there seemed a pos
sible chance of reaching an amicable
apreement. 1t was believed by some
that the managers during their interim
conference would formulate counter
proposition, in which case there was
possibility that the joint conference
would go over until tomorrow before
conclusion is reached.
President May Intervene.
The critical International situation is
the most important factor in the con-
ference of brotherhood chiefs and rail-
road managers. Both sides use 1t as an
argument, and 1t is expected that II
the conference fails to achieve Its pur-
nose President Wilson will appeal to
employees and employers to settle 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 pa
triotism 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
couutenance any rash movement which
nav seriously embarrass the govern
| ment and give the IMPRESSION outside
industrial strife and therefore is easy
prey to any foreign foe"
"It is too late for them to now pose
as patriots. hoping thereby to defeat
J says a statement issued by the brother
hood leaders in answer to this appeal
What Brotherhoods Demand.
| The railroad managers entered the
conference today with the declaration
that they would make no bargain until
the Supreme Court had ruled on the
lconstitutionality of the Adamson law.
The brotherhoods insist that the pro-
visions of the Adamson law be put
into effect at once as of January l.
They demand ten hours pay for eight
| hours. work and pro rata pay for all
overtime The important difference be-
tween these demands and those sub
uitted last December, when the rail-
road situation first reached 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
demands were not granted a strike
would begin next Saturday night and
extend through the country within the
/ next three weeks.
! Unanimous Support Voted.
| After meeting here yesterday with
several hundred general chairmen and
chairmen of the locals in the brother
hood organizations on lines entering
New York, w. @. Lee. president Of the
! brotherhood Of Railroad Trainmen, an
nounced that unanimous support had
been voted the brotherhood chiefs In
the demands they purposed to make at
| today's conference. These demands, he
said would be based on the modified
demands of last December which called
for basic eight-hour work day and
pro rata pay for overtime.
! This is virtually what the Adamson
law would give If put In force. he said
The original program of the men. the
refusal Of which resulted in the call last
i September Of the strike which was
/ averted by the passage Of the Adamson
act. included an eight-hour basic day
with time and a half for overtime. Mr.
| Lee indicated that there was no inten-
ton of going back to the original claims.
! He admitted that recent forecasts OF
a progressive countrywide strike be-
ginning Saturday night at O'Clock unless
the railroads accede to the ultimatum OF
their employees were written by a good
guesser."
Bad Faith Charge Resented.
Il Charges that we arc acting In bed
faith in bringing up this question
CONTINUED on Twelfth Pags.)