The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-12-28
LABOR GIRDINC
! FOR final FIGHT
ON RAIL BILLS
Leaders to Decide Action In
Big Conference Open
ing Tomorrow.
DANGER THREATENING
Pending Legislation Will
"Hog-Tie" Worker With
Roads Return.
DANGER THREATENING

President Gompers and other off,
Gals of the American Federation of
Labor were preparing yesterday for
the conference of executives of the
various railroad labor organizations
which will be held here tomorrow
afternoon.
While demands of the individual
railroad organizations for wage in
creases are regarded as Of pressing
Importance, the chief purpose of the
conference Is to discuss pending rail-
road legislation and to determine what
action shall be taken at this time by
organized labor.
The lkbor leaders are opposed to
both the Esch bill and the Cummins
bill, which are now in the hands Of
the joint conference committee OF the
Senate and the House and they view
the outcome of the committees de-
hberations with the greatest concern.
Having lost their fight for the con-
Htinuance OF government control Of
railroads for two years longer
through the announced decision Of
the President to return the railroads
TO their owners on March l, the
labor leaders now find themselves
forced to make a last-stand fight to
prevent the passage of legislation
which they regard as inimical to the
interest Of the workers.
The situation Is a threatening
one" was the statement made at
labor headquarters yesterday. The
trend of the legislation that is under
way in Congress is clearly against
the railroad worker. This applies
not only to the anti-strike clause Of
the Cummins bill. but to other pro-
visions as well. The railroad worker
does not want to be turned back
to his Old employers 'hog-tied.'
Questions as to the probability of
railroad strikes in case adverse
railroad legislation is put through
Congress were parried by the labor
leaders. While threats of strikes
have been made during the last few
months, the labor leaders said that
this was no time to voice comment
of this nature.
Want Peace. Not War.
1t is our purpose to avoid a
strike-a strike Is war. and we are
looking for peace. All the agita-
tion about an impending strike is
most unfortunate" was the state
ment made by one of the labor
leaders yesterday.
Attention was also called to the
fact that the Lever act. which was
Invoked to validate the Injunction
proceedings in the coal strike. is
stilI in effect. and hat it could be
similarly invoked in case a strike
OF railroad men were called.
The aim Of the conferees is to
discuss the legislative situation, so
as to be able to advise Congress
definitely regarding legislation
dealing with the status of employees
and TO assist as best they can in
matters for the protection of the in
terests OF the general public"
1t was stated that the conference
would probably issue a statement
upon the conclusion of the meeting.
Vast Number Represented.
Approximately 10000 railroad men
will be represented at the conference
by the following executives. invited
by President Gompers to attend:
W. S. Stone, Brotherhood LOcomo-
tive Engineers; Timothy Shea, Loco
motive Firemen and Enginemen; W.
G. Lee, Railway Trainmen; Z. L.
Sheppard. Railway Conductors; Will
lam Johnston. International Ma
ehinists; James Kline. International
Blacksmiths; J. ]. Hynes. Sheet
Metal Workers; ]. J. Noonan. Elec-
trical Workers; NJ. r. Ryan. RaIi-
road Firemen; ]. J. Forester. Rail-
way Clerks; S. E. Heberling. Switch
mems Union; E. ]. Manning. Railway
TeleEraphers; A. Z. Barker, Mainten-
ance Of Way Employees; B. NJ. Jewell.
acting president Railway Employees
Department, American Federation of
Labor: Louis Wayand. Boiler
makers.
Demands for wage increases made
by a number OF the railroad organiza-
tons. including the shopmen. railway
clerks. machinists. and three of the
four brotherhoods. are still awaiting
action by Director General Hines of
the Railroad Administration. Mr..
Hines last statement to the shopmen
was that he needed to secure data be-
fore he could make further reply
Representatives OF the shopmen said
today that they were awaiting a call
from Director General Hines to in
form them OF his action in regard to
their demands.