New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-28
Affiliated Trades Expected
to Back Decision of Ma
chi1ists to Quit Work
if Inhibition Is Passed
Wilson Attitude Puzzles
Congress Unlikely to Pass
Drastic Legislation if
His Veto Is Threatened

WASHINGTON, Dee. 27.-The atti-
tude of organized railway employees
toward the anti-strike provision Of the
Cummins railroad bill will be formally
stated in declaration of principles to
be drafted by the heads of all the
brotherhoods at a conference here Mon
day with President Gompers OF the
American Federation of Labor.
Labor leaders declared to-day that
"nothing drastic was to be expected"
but the general view among organized
workers was that the affiliated trades
would stand by the Railway Machinsts'
Union, which voted to quit work if
Congress enacted the anti-strike pro-
vision. Senators and representatives
now in Washington expressed the opin-
ion, however, that 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 Pres idental veto
has been given serious consideration by
members Of Congress, who realize the
NeCtSSily Ol tHdClitlS proper leSlS
before the roads are handed back TO
their owners on March l. Labor lead
ers. in discussing this eventualty, also
called attention to-day to this state
ment by the President in his message
to Congress four weeks ago:
"The right Of individuals to strike is
invioate and ought not to be inter
fered with by any process of govern
ment, but there is a predominant rght
of the government to protect all of its
people and TO assert its power and
ajesty against the challenge OF any
class"
interpretations Vary
This one sentence was variously in
terpreted-by brotherhood officers as
d virtual announcement by the Presi-
dent that he would not sign a bill
denying the right to strihe-alld by
Senator Cumnlins aud hers as notice
by the President that even If the right
to strike was invioiate the rights Of the
public stood over and above it,
Regardless of what action might be
taken by the brotherh Gods the belief
prevailed in Congressional circles that
when Senate and House conferees get
through with the Cummins and Esch
bills. no vestige of the anti strike sec
ton would remain. The conierees VIII
begin work next week after Senator
Cummins and Senator Kellogg. Rcpub-
hcan, of Minnesota, return from North
Carolina.
All of the Senate confcrees voted for
the labor clause and are expected to
make hard fight in conference for It's
retention. On the straight Senate test
an amendment to eliminate the section
was defeated, 80 to "a Some idea Of
the attitude of the House, however,
vaS given to-day by members who said
that the anti-strike clause could not
command fifty votes in that body
Shcpmen to See Hines
The heads of the four big brother
hoods and the ten affiliated trades will
be here Monday for the conference
with President Gompers, VIII ch VS.
called Tor the specific purpose Of con-
sidering pending railroad legislation.
Committees representing the SIX shop
trades have an appointment that dag
with Director General Hines for dis
cussion Of wage demands, but it was
said this might be deferred until
Tuesday.
1t was emphasized at Federation
headquarters that the two conferences
mad nothing in common, although it
was admitted that the situation re-
speeding wage demands was somewhat
changer in view Of President Wilson'S
dehnlte decision to turn back the
roads in two months. In view Of TIE
short period of government control
there was feeling in some quarters
that the director general might re-
fuse to saddle wage increase on the
roads on the eve of their return to
private operation. Most of the lead
ers insisted. however, that the de-
mands would not be rejected. since
President Wilson had promised to u5e
his influence 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 railroad legislation som,
doubt was expressed to-day whether
the Esch and Cummins bills could ne
cut to pieces and put together again
by 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
House to speed up work. but there ~
little hope of getting the bill out Of
conference before the end Of Jan
uary.