Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-29

RAILWAY UNIONS
READY TO REBEL
All Will Declare Strike if
Congress Adopts
Drastic Law.
DELEGATES MEET
DELEGATES MEET
AT GOMPERS' CALL
Conference to Adopt Declaration OF
Principles Similar to That Of Ma.
chlnists-Probable That House Will
Reject Anti Strike Clause In Senate
Bill Fathered by Cummins-confer-
.ses Considering Compounds.

Washington, Dec. 29.-While the
Joint congressional committee was dis
cussing points OF difference between
the Esch and Cummins railway bills
today in an effort to decide on the an
ti-strike provisions. nigh railway union
officials were attending a conference
called by Samuel Gompers to formu-
late a program to consider the pro-
visions Of tho railway bills. The chiefs
of the railroad men met at 10 a. m
to discuss the provisions OF tho bills.
Officials of several unions affiliated
with the brotherhoods indicated the
conviction that the conference would
adopt declaration Of principles SINH
lar to that Of the machinists' union.
which voted to strike should the anti
strike provision become q law.
Anti.Strike Clause Doomed.
On the eve Of the meeting Of the
railroad brotherhoods tomorrow to de-
clare what railroad legislation they
approve and disapprove, It was learn
ed that the Cummins anti-strike pro-
vision is to be eliminated from the
penolng railroad Dill.
Members Of the conference commit
tee said there Is no possibility Of the
Cummins plan being approved by the
house.
Senate conferees indicated doubt OF
their ability to force retention Of the
Cummins amendment, but disclosed
their intention to seek a compromise
preserving some semblance Of plan
to avert strikes and provide for the
pacific settlement Of wage and other
disputes.
Senator Lenroot's substitute scheme
to blacklist strikers finds little favor,
but house conferees are willing to con-
slider Senator McCormick's proposal OF
the Canadian plan involving a sixty
day Cooling OFF, process before z
strike is called.
Labor Stand 20 Be Barred.
How far the brotherhood chiefs, who
are TO confer with Samuel Gompers
and other OFFICIALS Of the American
Federation OF Labor will go In oppos-
ing any anti-strike provision remains
to be seen. Mr.. Gompers said organ
ICED labor never would abide by the
Cummins provision II It were written
into law, and the railroad machinists
voted to strike II 1t should 90 Into ef-
feet
The brotherhoods are to meet with
the intention Of Informing congress
how far It can go without incurr!ns
their displeasure, the proceeding being
reminiscent Of the days Of September.
1915, when the Adamson act was
forced thru congress under a threat
Of q strike with the labor leaders IN
the galleries holding stop watch On
the deliberations.
Plum Plan Mon Active.
The Plum plan leaguers are taking
an active part in tho labor conference
with q view to bringing about COM
prehensive condemnation OF the pend
inr bills by the brotherhoods.
The leaguers are maneuverins to
gain the support Of the democratic
party for their plan, and In this con-
nection are reposing great hopes In
William Jennings Bryan.
The Plum plan folks have been vast
" encouraged by evidences that Mr.
Bryan contemplates shaping the des-
ttnies Of his party at the democratic
national convention. They believe ne
win dictate the platform even II ne
should not become candidate.
conferees Make Little Prosress.
No important decisions were reach
Cd today on railroad legislation by
senate and house conferees, The pro-
visions Of the Cunmins and Esch bills
for issuance Of railroad securities was
under discussion. No mention OF la
Dor conditions was made. Some OF
these, Il IL believed, will not be ready
for two or three weeks.
Representatives Of the railroad
unions affiliated with tho American
Federation OF Labor who had planned
70 confer with Director General Hines
today decided not to SEQ the director
general, at the last moment. No rea-
son was given for the postponement.