New-York tribune., 1919-12-18
eompers Leads Delega-
inn to White House to
Protest Return Jan. l.;
Seek Two-Year Control
rurnmins Is Asked
To Withdraw Bill
,.ereased Rates Will Add
. $1,000. .OOO,OO toCost
Of Living, Is Labor Plea
Ne>r Yo~k Tribune
VrSkirot0p R.irenn

.TAsHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Presi-
aet Wilson has not made up his
,hd with regard to the future of
n railroads, Joseph P. Tumulty,
.rrstary to the President, told a
Nsgstion of labor union and farm
ne.nization representatives to-day.
The delegation presented a letter
.ddressed to the President, asking
Ms Executive not to return the
neds to private ownership and oper-
zion on January and to favor
nntinuance Of government control
and operation for two more years.
"All can tell you at this time"
uid Mr. Tumulty, who received the
delegation, 'is that l know the Pres
dents mind is open on this ques-
| tin and that he is glad to have your
views"
The delegation told Mr.. Tumulty
| hey would not have submitted their
uuest to the President but for the
| Importance of the railroad problem
uthe country.
"That is being given considera-
Hon." said Mr.. Tumulty.
l President to Read Every Line"
The secretary told the delegation he
-puld be glad 20 see that the letter
rs presented to President Wilson and
ist "he reads every line OF it,"
The request made by the delegation
as set forth in the letter 20 the
President, as fcllOWs:
we respectfully reQatS,, on behalf
III the farmers. the American Fedora
ION Of Labor and the railway brother
,auds, as well as the general public.
.la. you stop the lUmors tnsr you plan
In return tne railroads to private con-
.pl, and that, IT lew g the changed
sandltions and the prevalent industrial
mrest, sou reestablish public conf
snes by advocating 1hac The aeriod Of
cvernmen. operation BE- continued for
It least two years. so tina. under peace
@ndltlons there may be a more thor
ngh and consistent trial Of govern
cent operation. ana that carefully
@nsidered plans for the ultimate dis
wsal Of the railroads may be worked q
out and adopted
Secretary QumulIy's assurance TO the
ibOr leader and farm organization
leads thai the President was still Of
IN open mind with regard to turning
back the railroads on January | was
received by the delegation az an as
surance tina. he Executive Is serious "
considering asking Congress TO extend
federal cor .roi and operation OF the
transportation lines for two years
nore
Gompers Appeals to Cummins
Earlier in the day the delegation ap-
Nared before Senator Cummins, chair
san Of the Senate Committee on Inter
tate Commerce, and demanded that
lie Cummins railroad bin be with
nWn. Samuel Gompers, president OF
10 American Federation Of Labor,
Mded the delegation.
Inc committee prcsentin. the letter
Sthe President WAS headed by George
!, Hampton, managing director OF the
Emers' National Council, and includ-
ID the following:
"arren 5. Stone, Grand Chief OF the
sotherhocd OF Railway Locomotive
tagineels; L. {. Sheppard, president
y The Order OF Railway Conductors
nnmothy, shea. acting chief of the
motherhood of Locomotive Engineers
America; ". g. Lee, president OF
ae Hallway Tralnmen; Fred A. Cham.
Ssrlsin, representative of Washington
Vregon, Idaho and Colorado state
q the American Society of Equity; 0
4 McGill. Seattle Cooperative Shingle
1Nils; Martin f. Ryan, brotherhood OF
ss'lway Carmen Of America; J. W
Nne- general president Internationa
sfotherhood OF Boilermakers, DroI
,,0rgers and Helpers; William H
/ iohnston, International Association o
aasn'nlsts; n. z. Alifas, Internationa
association Of Machinists chairman
Seergs A. Luther, secretary Brother
1000 Of Railway Clerks; II. +. Wills
nn'otherhood OF Locomotive Engineers
.. L. Jewel, acting president railwa
| EMPLOYEES department; Rolla S. Sax
! Nn, American Federation of Labor
l aesry Sterling. American Federation
| " Labor; John T. McCrudden, Brother
,nood of Railway Clerks; Il. 7. Woot
s.n'ed brotherhood Maintenance o
NAY and Railway Shop L.aborers; T. N
Ierson, Railroad Telegraphers; Charlie
= MCGOWAN, Brotherhood of Boiler
nsakers; W. n. Doak, Brotherhood o
aallway Firemen; w. NJ. Clark, Orde
y railway Conductors of America; W
- Nc ckenimen, brotherhood of Rail
sW Irainmen; 2. j. Mcnamara, Broth
uaood Of Locomotive Firemen and En-
i'aemen; Mrs. Benigna Green Kolt
"Rm~oman's National Congress.
Anti-Strike Clause Criticized
.nr. Gompers, who acted as spoke
Len Tor the delegation which visite'
saasor Cummins, criticized the pend
" oili generally, centering his op
Ms"'oh on the anti-strike provision, OF
Nv ground that it would make law
sakers out of patriotic citizens, who
.sssld, could not be forced to obey it
.,..i men cannot obtain justice in an!
Hsr way they are going to strike,
~, 1H Iompers. "Thc result of anti
.ke legislation can only be injurious
Every respect.
- ~. am not and have not been an ad
EsW OF government ownership, but
s.sve that the railroads ought not tt
ss.;s ss.s;sSfned back to their private owner:
~ 9 thorough test has been made
SSvernment operation under peace