The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-19

limited Press Leased Wire Service
NEW york, March 19.-The rail
bads have met the fullest demands
the Adamson eight hour law and
hereby definitely averted the threat
he'd nationwide strike with the
buntry on the verge of its most ser.
kls crisis.
Patriotism, swayed to its height by
he sinking of, three American yes
Bis. brought from the railway man.
GERS committee early today the an
puncement that they would accept
he brotherhoods' chiefs demands
lther than give the impression at
ome or abroad that the efficient
beration of the country's railways
ouId be hampered or impaired in the
zee OF it's latest peril. The rail-
ays aurTeudered completely leay.
|ng tHer en0 Of tho Ad5uStment
Entirely in the hands Of Press-
lent Wilson's mediation board. "A
bint committee Is to thresh out the
linute details.
The following statement was Is
ned by the mediators at 6 a. m.:
"We desire to express our appre-
ation Of the large and patriotic
ction Of the railway managers COM
littee which has put beyond pre-
dyenture the possibility Of ma
on wide railway strike.
The railways have met the full
emands of the Adamson eight hour
w. This concession WIS secured as
be elimination of two days and
70 nights Of negotiation. Our first
fort was to secure postponement OF
be strike which was fixed for Sat
fday night. This was secured by
esenting to the railways a memo
ndum of the agreement drafted by
e brotherhoods which with some
rticularity expressed the provision
the Adamson law. We asked the
'lways to agree that il the Adamson
w was held to be constitutional that
lis construction Of application would
given it. The railways agreed to
Is at Joint session between, the
otherhood chiefs and the managers.
nd with much difficulty the chiefs
ayed the strike, an act that was
tal to the success of our efforts and
rther mediation.
SOME adjustment had been sought
ould the law be held unconstitution-
In this regard many propositions
ere made to both sides, but none
acceptable until the railways ex-
essed their willingness to place
whole matter in the hands Of this
mmittee
ihis action proceeded, as the let.
from the railway managers state,
pm desire to demonstrate to. the
untry that the railways would not
oW their own conception of the
lway policy to stand in the way Of
fullest use Of railroads at a time
national strain. The committee
asidered the matter was decided;
IN view of the action of congress
passing the Adamson law and the
essity for immediate action, that
vas best to adopt at once the
morandum agreement of the prev
aay as applicable under all con-
mus the provision of the eight
law, by agreement between the
nus and the men became the basis
statement and whether the SUI
ne court holds for the validity of
aw or against 1t, there will be
str1ke."
,as ne decision OF railway managers
..as .a was as sudden as it was unex-
eu ny all except those. directly in
,erence, came after virtually
eignt hours continuance confer
r. me following letter was sent
sae railway managers committee
y To-Day by the mediation commit
Csna Lee, Esq, Chairman Nation
NJ. v"nierence Committee OF the Rail-
lear lear Mr.. Lee: We are in receipt
'Sar S favor Of this date placing in
nands for immediate adjustment,
Matter OF the difference between
loods. e ii"ay pi"'n'
e nave nave brought this letter before
ss.otherhoods with the statement
~. - our Judgment, it was advisable
m. an.o effect the provisions OF the
son law, whether It he held
OF OfhAWU4~A