New-York tribune., 1919-12-30
Hrotl.evhoodsW Wo,,id Con.
'inue Federal Operation
Of Lines for , Years 10
Fest Out the System
Oppose Legislation
Against Walk-Ouls
e'ompcrs in Announces
''en' Call, Proposed
Laws Unfair to Workers
Ncw lo1I Y,iblu.
ltUeIjrOfav G,,rn,,u

W - II NJ ON. Dec. 70. Representa-
tlvcs OF the four railroad brotherhood.
and the American Federation of Iabo,
Tonight came out squarcly in favor oi
government control Of the railroads 20,
at least TWO years longer A decided
stand also was taken against anti
strike egisation.
The declaration for an extension of
government control was made DESPITE
the fact that President Wilson last
week issued proclamation turning the
roads back to private ownership or
March 1
Labor's attitude on the railroa,
question was made plain in a statement
by Samuel Gompers, president OF tn,
federation, after a 1--WE hour conference
representatives of the railroad EN-
plovecs organizations.
Gomperss Statement
he Gompers statement said:
On Friday last a number of rcple
sent talIvcs of the railroad organizations
poth shopmen and those in train serv.
zee, met IN my office and we discus &c
the situation regarding railroad lcgis-
latlon. issued an invitation 10 The
executives of 'hc ten shipments organi-
1atlons affiliated with the American
Federation o Labor and the four rail.
road brothcrhoods. asking them tc
meet IN conference with me here to-
day We began our meeting at
O'Clock and adjourned shortly after s
O'Clock
The entire time OF the conference
va, taken up with discussion OF the
parliamentary situation of the railrout
bills in Congress. We reached these
conclusions:
THAT i, is the sense of the confer
ence that control OF the railroads by
should be extended for a period of not
.css than two years. in order that q
proper test might be made as TO gov
eminent control.
THAT such test has not beer
given 4 fair opportunity during wal
times or since then
THAT this conference il opposed te
legislation making strikes OF workers
unlawful.
THAT it is the sense Of the confer
ence that penalty clauses in pending
legis la;ion on the railroads aga inst
workers ceaslng their employment
should be eliminated.
"Tbat this conference favors the en-
actment of the beneficial features OF
the railroad bills which tend to estab
lish better relations between the EN-
ployees and the carriers and that these
beneficial clauses should be extended tc
the sleeping car and Pullman Company
employees.
Mr.. Gompers declined TO add any
thing to his dictated statement or tc
make clean how labor expects 20 obta r.
i'S desire for a two-year extension o.
government control.
Appeal TO Congress
Since the case has passed out of the
hands ot the President. however, labol
viii direct its attention to Congress.
and endeavor to defeat the Legislation
which is now in conference between
committees from the two houses. or te
insert in it provisions for the two yeal
extension.
In the present temper Of Congress.
toward government control of any form
Of industry. even the great power o
the Federation and the brotherhood
is not expected to accomplish the enc
desired, and before it is through labo,
may have to turn again to Pres iden
Wilson. i'll the hope that he may vett
any bill coming from Congress whicI
does not carry an extension period.
President Wilson could recall hi
proclamation turning he roads bacl
March |. but labor leaders do not ex
pect such action. They will make
every effort to sway Congress thei
way
1t was said tonight that there wa
no talk of general railroad strike il
the conference. The brotherho oods ar,
not anxious to face the government OF
an issue so academic as one involving
government or private control nor d.
the leaders feel that this is a proptiou
time to bring on such Ii nation Wild
walk out
There was virtually no discussion to
day of the wage demands now befor
the railroad administra ton, totalinj
nearly $1,000 100000 year. and thes
questions will be taken up by tn
heads OF each organization Will
Director General Hines.
If they are refused without wha
labor considers a good excuse othe
conferences to develop a general pla,
OF action will be called. but for tn,
present the fight will center on railroat
legi lation in Congress.
Gompers Sees Willard
One of the interesting features o
to days meeting was the fact tina
while it was in progress Daniel vii
lard, president Of the Baltimore {
Ohio Railroad, visited the Federation
Building Mr.. Gompers left the con
ference and was closeted with him 70
an hour The labor chief refused t.
discuss this side conference at all.
Mr.. Willard was equally reticent H
expressed surprise to find newspaper
men in the building, and when toll
they were waiting for Developments OIL
, labor's attitude toward railroad legis
laton, he said;
"Of course, did not come hero OIL
that"
Among the railroad leaders presen
to- day were L. G. Sheppard, of tn
conductors; T. 7. Mcnamara, of tn
hremen and enginemen; W. L. McMeni
men, Of the trainmen; H. E. Wills, o
the engineers; B. NJ. Barker. of tn
maintenance of way employees; S.
Eberle, Of the switchmen. and J. j. For
roster. Of the railway clerks. MI
Sheppard was the only brotherhood
head to appear, but the others wsr