The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-19
(Associated Press.)

New York, March 1y.-The railroad
strike has been averted. Yielding to
the appeal of President Wilson and
facing the probability of this coun-
try's entrance into the world war, the
railroads early today granted the de-
mands of the four employees brother
hoods for basic eight-hour day. Tel
egraphic wires this morning carried
throughout the United States mes
sages from the brotherhood chiefs
resembling the orders for the inaug-
uration Of the great progressive strike
at Z o'clock tonight. .s.,,-.
Complete Surrender. q
The decision is regarded as a COM
plete surrender, to the Ibrotherhoods,
brought about. however, after the
patriotism Of the railroad managers
had been put to the test. The presi-
dents mediators, playing what they
considered their last trump card, were
not successful in their mission un-
til after more than 90 hoursp Of anx-
ious conferences, all Of which pointed,
within short time before the de-
cision was announced, to an inevitable
deadlock. .-..
Secretary of the Interior Lane and
the other mediatOrs were affected
when told of the action Of the rail-
road managers. Mr.. Lane sent for
the committee of the railroads, and
turning to Elisha Lee, their spOkes-
man, said: ..r.
Magnificent Thing.
"This Is a magnificent thing that
you have done for your country. It
will 60 down in history as one OF
the greatest things you ever did"
w. G. Lee, head of the trainmen,
announced that orders. would 60 for
ward at once informing. all district
chairmen of the brotherhoods OF the
successful outcome of the confer
ences. ..e-.r#.. ...,. ..
By the terms of the settlement, the
combined salary list Of the railroads
will be increased $60,0OO,000 a year,
according to conservative estimates.
The number of wOrkmen DrOtiting by
this increase will be more than 300,'
900. "., . ..
Crisis a Factor.
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 the country to normal condi-
tions insofar as it's transportation ia
cilities were concerned, was conceded
by all. The presidents mediators had
made no secret of the fact that they
viewed the outlook with pessimism.
It was evident that the strike would
undoubtedly become effective unless
something more intervened than the
mere suggestion that the severance
of diplomatic relations with Germany
might lead to open hostilities.
Unanimous Action.
The presidents mediators again
communicated with the railroad man
ayers, with the result that they are
said to have voted unanimously to
yield to the demands of the brother
hoods, in order ''that neither at home
nor abroad should there be fear or
hope that the efficient operation of the
railroads of the country will be ham
pered or impaired
Inc mCUldClUu uOSOtldJlOuS anu
their results we're summed up In a
statement issued today:
Issue Statement.
1--WE desire to express our appreci-
alton of the large and patriotic. action
of the railroad managers committee,
which has put beyond peradventure
the possibility of a nationwide rail
road strike, the railroads have met
the full demand of the Adamson eight
hour law. This concession was sc.
cured ut elimination Of two days
and nights of negotiations.
Our first effort was to secure a
rostponement of the strike, which
was fixed for Saturday night. This
postponement was secured by pre-
senting to the railroad managers, q
memorandum agreement drafted by
the brotherhoods, which expressed
the provisieas Of the Adamson Law.
(Cootin0od On PaSe Thrse)