Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-19

The railroads surrendered complete
lyi leaving their end Of the adjust
ment entirely in the hands of Presi
dent Wilson's mediation board. A
joint committee is to thrash out the
minute details.
Statement Of Settlement.
The following statement was issued
by the mediators at a. m.
I'VE desire to express our apprecia-
ton OF the large and patriotic action
Of the Railway Managers Committee,
who has put beyond peradVentare
the possibility Of a nationwide railroad
strike.
1.-THE railroads have met the full de-
mans Of the Adamson eight-hour law.
This concession was secured as the
combination Of two days and nights of
negotiations.
"Our first effort was to secure a
postponement Of the strike, which was
fixed for Saturday night. This was
secured by presenting TO the railway
managers a memorandum agreement
drafted by the 6rotherhoods, which
with some particularly, expressed the
provision Of the Adamson law.
I'VE asked the railways to agree
that II the Adamson law was held to
be constitutional, that this construo-
ton and application would be given to
II. The railways agreed TO this at
joint session between the Brotherhood
chiefs and the managers. And with
much difficulty the chiefs stayed the
strike, an act that was vital TO the
success Of our efforts and further
mediation.
awe next sought some adjustment
that would be effective should the law
be held to be unconstitutional. In this
regard many propositions were made to
both sides. but none was acceptable
until the railroads expressed their will
ingness to place the whole matter in the
hands of this committee.
This action proceeded, as the letter
from the railway managers states, from
desire to demonstrate to the country
that the railroads would not allow their
own conception of railroad policy to
stand in the way of the fullest use Of
the roads at a time Of severe national
strain.
"The committee considered the matter
and decided that in view of the action
of Congress in passing the Adamson law
and the necessity for immediate action,
that it was best to adopt at once the
memorandum agreement of the previous
day as applicable under all conditions.
"Thus the provision of the eight-hour
law, by agreement between the roads
and the men became the basis of the set
Element. and whether the Supreme Court
holds for the validity of the law or
against it, there will be no strike"
The decision Of the railway man
ayers. which was as sudden as il
was unexpected by all except those
| directly in the conference. came af-
ter virtually As hours continuous
| conference.
1t has ended for all time the
spectre of a national paralysis of the
! American railroad system-and at a
time when the whole world waited
with bated breath. for word from
the two little camps. hidden in New
York City
Tho following letter was sent 20
/ the Railroad Managers Committee
. early today by the Mediation Com
mittee:
Elisha Lee. Esq. Chairman Ma
t'onal Conference Committee Of
the Railways.
Dear Mr.. Lee. We are IN re-
ceipt Of your favor of this date.
placing i'm our hands for immedi-
ate adjustment that matter of the
difference between your commit
tee and the Railroad Brother
hoods,
We have brought this letter be-
fore the Brotherhoods with the
statement that in our judgment
It was advisable to put into effect
the provisions of the Adamson
law. whether il be held valid or
otherwise. This was acceptable to
them. Thus by your own action,
urged thereto by the highest con-
sideration Of national concern,