The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-19

Regarded % Surrender.
The decision 10 regarded ~ 4 COM
piete surrender TO the brotherhoods
Drought about, however, after the pa.
trlotism Of the railroad managers had
been put to the test. The presidents
medIators playing what they consld.
cred their last trump card, we're not
suocessfuI In their mission, until aftsr
more than flfty hours Of anxious con-
ferences, al Of which pointed within
q short time before the decision was
announced to an Inevitable deadlock.
Secretary Of the interior Lane and
the other medlators were vislbly a..
fected when told Of tho action Of the
railroad managers. Mr.. Lane sent I'm.
medlateIy for the committee Of the
railroads and, turning to Elisha Lee,
their spokesman, said:
"This 10 4 magnificent thing that
you have done for your country. It
will 90 down in history az one Of tho
greatest things you ever did"
Faces Show Evident Relief.
The brotherhood chiefs, who alre ady
had left the hotel where the confer
eneeo were Being held and had retired
for the night, apparently convinced
that a settlement Of the differences
could not be reached, were summoned
next. Their faces showed the relief
they felt from the strain under which
they had Iabored since early Friday
evening with the presidents commit.
tee.
w. G Lee, head of the trainmen, an
nounced for them that orders would
20 forward at once informing all dis
trict chairmen Of the brotherhoods of
the successful outcome Of the confer
ences.
BY the terms Of the settlement, the
combined salary list Of the railroads
will be increased approximately
$50, 10000 a year according to con-
servative estimates. The number OF
men profiting by this increase will be
more than 100000.
Crisis Brings About Action.
That the crisis resulting from the
sinking of the three American ships
by German submarines was the prime
factor in clearing the situation and re-
storing the country to normal condi-
tons in sofar as its transportation ia.
cilities were concerned, was conceded
by all.
The railroad managers, who until a
late hour last night, had held out
against the brotherhoods, had been
dismissed temporarily by the presi-
dents mediators, who made no secret
OF the fact that they visited the out
look with pessimism. Secretary Lane,
a short time before word came that
the managers had yielded, issued
statement that the conferences would
be resumed today but intimated that
he was none too hopeful Of a settle
ment.
Warning Falls on Deaf Ears.
The railroad managers and the
brotherhood chiefs had been told Of
the seriousness of the international
situation. but the warning had appar-
emily fallen on deaf ears. 1t was evi.
dent that the strike, which originally
had been set for Saturday evening at
Z o'clock but had been postponed to
permit of further negotiations. un.
doubtedly would become effective un.
less something more interviewed than
the mere suggestion that the sever
ance Of diplomatic relations with Ger
many might lead to open hostilities.
The presidents mediators again
communicated with the railroad man.
ayers, however, with the result that
they are said to have voted unani-
mously to yield to the demands of the
brotherhoods 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
hampered or impaired"
The mediation negotiations and
their result are summed up In the
following statement issued at 81
o'clock this morning by the commit
tee from the council of national de-
fense:
Praise Patriotic Actions
I'VE desire to express our apprecia-
tion of The large and patriotic action
Of the railway managers committee
which has put beyond peradventure
the possibility Of nationwide rail.
road strike. 1
The railroads have met the full de-
mand of the Adamson eight.hour law.
This concession was secured as the
elimination Of two days and nights
Of negotiations.
"Our first effort as to secure post |
ponement of the strike which was fix
ed for Saturday night. This postpone.
ment was secured by presenting to
the railway managers memorandum |
agreement drafted by the brother
hoods which with some parttcularity |
rcontinued On Pa0a Teal