The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-28
By Associated Pr.ss

Washington, December 27. The attitude of railway em- ployes toward the anti-strike provision of the Cummins rail- road bill will be formally stat ed in a declaration of prin- ciples to be drafted by the heads of all the brotherhoods at a conference here Monday with President Gompers of the American Federation of Labor.
 Labor leaders declared today "noth- the general view among organized workers was that aniliated trades would stand by the railway machin- ists' union which voted to quit work If Congress enacted the anti-striks provision. Senators and representa- tives now in Washington expressed the opinion, however, the House never would accept the bill as it came from the Senate. and that even if it should pass President Wilson would veto it.
 The possibility of a presidential veto has been given serious consideration by members of Congress who realize the necessity of enacting proper leg&- lation before the roads are handed back to their owners on March 1. Labor leaders in discussing this eventuality, also called attention today to this state ment by the president in his 1aes- sage to Congress four weeks ago:
 The right of individuals to strike Is inviolate and ought not to be in- terfered with by any process of gov ernment. but there is a predominant right of the government to protect all of its people, and to assert it's power and majesty against the challenge of any class"
 VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS
 This one sentence was variously in- terpreted--by brotherhood officers as a virtual announcement by the Pres ident that he would not sign a bill denying the right to strilse--and by Senator CumminS and others as notice ivy the President that even if the right 10 strike was inviolate. the rights of the public stood over and above it.
 Regardless of what action might be taken by the brotherhoods the belief
 
 when Senate and House conferees got through with the Cummins and Issch bills no vestige of the anti-strike sec ton would remain. The conference will begin work next week after Senator Cummins and Senator Kellogg. repub- iicans. Minnesota, return here from North Carolina
 All of the Senate conferees voted for the labor clause and are expected to n a k a a n fa fn fe retention On the straight Senate test an amendment to eliminate the section was defeated, S9 to a. Some idea of the attitude of the Senate, however. was given today by members who said the anti-strike clause could not com mand 50 votes in that body.
 CONFERENCE MONDAY
 The heads of the four big brother hoods and the 10 affiliated trades will be here Monday for the conference with President Gompers, which was called for the specific purpose of considering pending railroad legislation. Commit tees representing the six shop trades have an appointment that day with Di- rector General Hines for discussion of wage demands but it was said this might be deferred until Tuesday.
 1t was emphasized at the federation headquarters that the two conferences had nothing in common. although 1t was admitted the situation respecting wage demands was somewhat changed in view of President Wilson's definite de- csion to turn back the roads in two months In view of the short period of government control there was feeling in some quarters the director general might refuse to saddle a wage increase on the roads on the eve of their re- turn to private operation. Most of the leaders insisted. however, the demands would not be rejected since President Wilson had promised 10 use his influ- ence to get more wages for railway men if the government failed to reduce the cost of living.
 Although every effort will be made to expedite railway Legislation. some doubt was expressed today whether the Esch and Cummins bills could be cut to pieces and put together again oy the time set for the end of federal control of the roads. Meanwhile. great pressure is being brought to bear on members of the Senate and the House to speed up work. but there is little hope of getting the bill out of conference before the end of January.