New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-23
Trainmen Agree
To Farley Before
Going on Strike
Cryptic Statements Issued
After Conference With
the President

transportation as result or the four
brotherhoods' proposed wage demands
was removed and progress toward ami
cable adjustment Of any wage contro-
versies during the war was made to-
day at a conference between President
Wilson, the four brotherhood heads and
members Of the Federal Mediation
! Board.
As result of the conference the
brotherhoods are left free to formally
present and urge their new demands
upon the carriers under a virtual
agreement with the President to avoid
strike or other cause of transpor-
tation tie-up until after full discussion
and consideration.
A definite issue in the wage ne
gotiations, however, cannot be reached
before the first of the year, as
the demands will not be presented
until December /. Future develop
ments will depend, first, upon the car
riers' disposition of the new demands,
and, second, in the event of deadlock,
upon further negotiations agreed to at
to-day's meeting at the White House.
Now Await Demands
1t is believed generally that there
viii be no further move in the pres
ent controversy until after the brother
hoods present their demands for wage
increases affecting 100000 operatives
and involving increased expenses to
the roads aggregating about $109 ,000,-
600 annually. Should the representa-
tives of the roads and the brother
hoods be unable to agree, the situs-
tion then will be placed in the hands
of the government under to-day S
agreement, and the roads decision to
leave their interests to the Presidents
| disposition.
Soon after the close of to-day's con-
/ ference, which was said to have been
most. earnest and at times animated
the heads of the railroad brotherhoods
I issued this statement, signed by the
/ four chairmen, Messrs. Stone, Lee, Car
/ ter and Garretson:
"1he men who comprise the railway
brotherhoods are thorough Americans
/ therefore they believe in American
standards of living, and in consequence
of this realize that standards of pay
| that were established in 1912 and 1913
are inadequate to meet present day
prices for commodities, and for that
reason are demanding an increase in
present rates that will meet half at
least of the increase in cost Of those
things which they are compelled to
purchase.
Recognize Patriotic Duty
"They want to cooperate in every
way that is at all possible in the sue
cessful prosecution of the war, and
they fully realize that the most serious
thing that could occur during the con-
duct of war would be any interruption
of railway transportation, and they in
common with the great body of the
people are determined to do everything
within the bounds Of reason to avoid
such interruption.
Being fully conversant with their
attitude and desire in this matter, we
are in a position to give the assurance
that il a situation should arise which
threatens the interruption of transpor-
tation the men whom we represent
would be more than willing to discuss
and consider any solution of the dift
Guilty which presented itself, doing so
in the spirit of patriotic cooperation,
and would undoubtedly cooperate with
the government TO the utmost extent
in arriving at just, equitable, as well
as patriotic conclusion"
After the foregoing had been made
public, President Wilson issued this
statement:
In addition to the statement given
out by the heads of the railway broth
erhoods, the President authorized the
representatives of the press to say that
he had got from the interview exactly
the impression conveyed by the state
nent Of the heads of the brotherhoods,
namely. that the men whom they repre-
sented were not inclined TO contend for
ANYTHING which they did not deem nee
essary to their own maintenance and
the maintenance Of their families, and
that they would be willing, in case any
critical situation or controversy should
arise. to consider any proposed solution
in a spirit of accommodation and a
patriotic purpose.
Wilson Appeals to Patriotism
Necessity for avoiding transporta-
tion paralysis, both from war and do
mestic considerations, was emphasized
by President Wilson during the con.
ference. He also was said to have laid
stress on patriotic considerations,
picturing the dire consequences IN the
war from serious transportation DIM
culties. While expressing sympathy
with conditions facing the railroad
operatives, with the rising cost of Nv
ing largely resultant from the war, the
President was understood TO have
urged, as a patriotic duty, that every
possible step be taken, in any emer-
gency, TO avoid transportation dlfhcul-
ties.
President Garretson of the Conduc-
tors Brotherhood, speaking Tor the
four branches, was said to nave
presented the necessity for higher
wage standards, both as rellet
10 the workmen and their fam-
lilies and insuriLg employment OF eN-
pericnced, competent train operatives
/ He pointed out that many men had lett
railroad employment because OF more
/ attractive wages elsewhere, ard tnat
| the recruiting of railway men foT
/ France and the draft law also had re-
I duced the force of trained men IN
I America.
Disinclination 10 submit their de-
mands 10 arbitration through the
I Federal Board was said TO have been
| frankly and positively expressed by
the brotherhoods' representatives.
! President Wilson, il was said. was
agreeable TO the plan OF haYing the
demands presented TO the carriers for
/ negotiation direct with the brotherhood
before government agencies should in
/ terfere, under the agreement that be.
| fore transportation suspension should