The sun., 1917-11-23
BIG FOUR CHIEFS
ASSURE WILSON
OF COOPERATION
Agree to Accept Any SOlu-
ton He May Suggest to
Avert Strike.
DANGER STILL REMAINS
Increases Asked Amount to
About Forty Per Cent
Based on Old Awards.
DANGER STILL REMAINS
Special Despatch 10 The sux.


WASHINGTON. Nov. ga two hour
conference President Wilson had with
the chiefs of the four railroad brother
hoods and the members OF the United
States Board OF Mediation this after
noon brought from tho men a promise
that II their demands for an increase in
wages reached a crisis they would con-
sider any solution which presented itself
In 4 patriotic" spirit and would "co-
operate with the Government to the
utmost In arriving al 4 just ana equit-
able as well a. patriotic conclusion"
The promise of the men was interpreted
- meaning that danger OF q suspension
Of transportation was removed. although
the brotherhoods are left free to present
formally and to urge their new demands
upon the carriers under q virtual agree
nent with the President to avoid a strike
Or cause a transportation tieup until
after full discussion and consideration.
That much was announced In a state
ment issued subsequently by the four
brotherhood heads and affirmed by the
White House. Insisting upon an ad-
cent, the brotherhood chiefs. as they
did in the last crisis which secured the
Adamson law Tor them. have put IL up
to the Presidencto offer a way by which
they will secure> their demands. No.
IN one particular have they receded
from the position they have taken re-
sarding arbitration. Thus far they have
refused to pledge themselves not to re-
sort to the strike weapon to secure what
they are after The sole guarantee Of
fered by them to-day was the promise to
deliberate and confer.
Union Men Alone Pleased.
Disappointment was evident every
where tonight save among the union
beads themselves as the result OF the
meeting. which. It was hoped by many.
would have been productive at least Of
an agreement that would eliminate the
possibility Of q nationwide tieup. II 10
evident that the brotherhood chiefs. the
Identical four that q year ago wrung
from the President and Congress the
Adainson act. had come here prepared to
play their cards skilfully and standing
firmly on their present wage demands
had passed 1t up once more to the Presi-
dent.
The outstanding features OF to-day's
follows:
The brotherhoods are insis,ent that
their wages shall be increased. and in
this connection they refuse to concede
that the Adamson law was equivalent
to wage increase. bas!ng their demands
on the awards OF the arbitration boards
H 1912 and 1918.
They have taken the position that they
are entitled to an increase In wages suf-
dcient to meet at least half the rise In
living costs since those awards were
made, this increase amounting roughly
70 about 10 per cent. Of present Wages.
They do not approve Of the Newlands
Get as a method Of settlement and
have practically reiterated their unalter-
able opposition to this form Of arbitra-
don. contending that 1t gives the rail-
roads an unfair advantage.
Strike Danger Not Averted.
Tho railroads having placed their in
terests unreservedly In the Presidents
hands, the brotherhoods have In effect
now placed their demands before him
and merely have agreed before calling a
strike TO consider any solution he may
suggest and cooperate in trying to ar
rive at a settlement.
The brotherhood chiefs. W. G. Lee.
PRESIDENT Of the Brotherhood Of Railway
Trainmen Warren s. Stone. grand
chief OF the Brotherhood OF Locomotive
Engineers; A. B. Garretson. president
OF the Order Of Railway Conductors.
and W. S. Carter. president of the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Firemen and
Enginemen. arrived at the White House
shortly before the appointed hour of
their reception and were Joined there by
Judge William l.. Chambers and Judge
Martin A. Knapp OF the United States
Board OF Mediation and Cancellation.
For two hours they were closeted with
the President in his study In the White
House, At 4:3O the brotherhood chiefs
emerged followed by the two mediators
and proceeded to their hotel while
Judges Chambers and Knapp withdrew
TO their homes.
Judge Chambers and Judge Knapp
when they left the White House refused
TO make any statement beyond saying
that matters looked favorable" Stone.
Garretson Carter and Lee. as usual.
seemed TO enjoy the attention they at
tracted as invited visitors to the White
House, They announced that they would
nave a statement ready in an hour at
their hotel. which would be followed at
once by a statement from the White
House.
brOthcrhoods Issue statement.
" o'clock President Lee handed out
me following statement, every copy of
which bore the autographic signature Of
the four chiefs
The men who compose the railway
nrothernoods are thorough Americans.
therefore they believe in American
standards Of living and In consequence
o' this realize that standa rds OF pay