New-York tribune., 1919-12-27
brotherhood Leaders Are
Summoned Monday to
Discuss Attitude Toward
Return of Roads Mar. l
Machinists' Strike
Said To Be Voted
Radical Action by Unions
Considered Unlikely as
No-Strike Law Impends


Of organized labor to pending railroad
legislation, particularly the anti-strike
provision Of the Cummins BILL crystal
lied to-day.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor. sent
out calls to the chiefs of the four
railroad brothcrhoods to meet him in
conference here next Monday. Al
though no explanation Of the confer
ence was given out at the federation,
1t was understood that the union chiefs
will frame their policy toward Presi-
dent Wilson's announced purpose to
turn the roads back to the owners on
March and to organize their CAM
paign to prevent enactment of the
anti-strike provision Of the Cummins
measure.
General Strike Threatened
William II. Johnston, president of
the international Association Of Rail
way Machinists, served notice that the
125,000 members of his organization
had voted secretly more than month
ago to walk out il the Cummns
measure should be approved intact by
both houses Of Congress-
The Presidents decision to return
the roads, which organized labor had
hoped would be kept under Federal
control another two years, evoked NUT
terings from the railroad shopmcn to-
day Their demands for wage in
crease have been before Director Gen
eral Hines about five months. 1t was
indicated that they would see Mr
Hines Monday when he returns from
his holiday and discuss their case be-
with Mr.. Gompers. The shopmen are
directly allied with the American Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor and have had it's back
ing in all the moves they have taken
so far.
In the last few months the Admins
tratlon has been uccessful in evading
the Issue Of increased wages for rail
road employees by the promise that the
cial Of the railroad administration
would attempt to-day TO forecast what
Mr.. Hines would tell the shopmen, but
it was expected he would point out the
latest promise of the Administration
to bring down the cost Of living and
ask for further delay until it has
been tested by time.
Decision to Strike Doubted
The shopmcn must then choose be-
tween taking the word Of the Adminis-
tration that has been favorable to
labor for SO many years or bring on
Il disastrous strike that would ALLEVIATE
many of their friends in Congress-
The shopmep are not expected to elect
to strike, in view Of the understanding
that the general cont, renee with Mr.
Gompers will be to plan the rallying
of all labors forces in Congress to de-
feat the anti-strike provision Of the
Cummlns bill, and the shopmen would
withhold action that might prejudice
the cause Of all labor.
Although labor leaders here are con-
hdcnt that the Senate and House con-
ferees on the Cummins and Esch bills
will not adopt the anti-strike measure,
they do not intend to let the matter
go by the board and plan to wage
vigorous fight to assure .ts rejection.
If the conferees do not live up to
labor's hopes, the fight will be carried
and even the most optimistic friends
of the anti-strike provision do not be-
leve that it can be forced through
either branch
Wage Issue in Allegiance
In view OF this determination, it was
regarded as doubtful tonight if the
brotherhoods will launch any new ef-
fort to get wages increased before the
roads go back to their old owners, or,
if they do, that they will back it up
with any proposal for universal
strike. The temper of Congress, at
present probably hostile to an anti
strike provision, might easily be turned
in favor of such drastic Legislation if
the country were TO be faced with the
prospect of nation tic-up of the
carriers.
Many members Of Congress have not
forgotten the way the Adamson law
was put through two years ago and
how the country criticised the national
legislators as consequence. With a
Presidential campaign coming on,
Congress might be willing
to put through the most drastic legis-
lation directed at strikes if univel-
sal walk-out was to be feared.
The confcrees on the railroad bills
did not meet again to-day. They ex
tended their holiday until NJ onday,
when they will push work on the bills
-