Evening star., 1919-12-27
cONFEREES MEET
MONDAY TO adjust
R. R. Difficulties
Dispute Centers Largely
Around Anti-Labor Clause
and Similar Provisions.
EMPLOYEES LEADERS
TO ALSO HOLD SESSION
Will Advise With a. F. of L.
Executives-0ptimism Per
yades Situation.

Observation-Disclosures Per
vades Situation.
Monday 1t 1880 am, conferees fol
ae House and the Senate meet to ad-
ust differences regarding the railroad
tii-With the contest centering prin-
'lpally in the anti-strike clause and
yther labor provisions
Monday at pm, leaders of fifteen
prSanlzations representing practically
III of the 2.500.0G0 CLASSIFIED emrloves
OF the railroads are to go into confer
ence with the executives of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor here.
optimism regarding the possibility of
ifslnllnS the pending legislation SO as
1elsonably to satisfy all interests, and
specially the public welfare, without
cd TO pervade the situation today.
sSpoHesnen fer the labor leaders and
ccAferees. who are to labor on a weld
Ing of the two railroad bills that have
l'assed the Senate and House expressed
hope and belief today that the rail
erShip on March /, without any alarm
laS disturbance of economic conditions.
DispIeased With Reports.
congressman generally, and the
ie-tdcis OF the railroad employees
PARTICULARLY. are diSpleased with wha
they call propaganda already pub
t-shed and which is said to be alarm
'HS people and business men through
out the country with prospects of a
sTeat strike that would cripple all in
.1ustry.
The fifteen representatives of the
1ailroad workers who were invited
~ President Gompers to a confer
'ires of the A. r. of l.. are on
their way to Washin gton today Out
OF this conference it is expected there
viii come statement, prepared by
Nr. Gompers and approved by the
conference. setting forth the views of
the railroad employees regarding the
pending legislation and suggesting
changes that should be made for the
welfare of -he employees and for the
public.
These labor representatives are to
meet here at the American Federation
III Labor headquarters to discuss the
Legislative situation for the purpose
of being able to advise Congress def
nitely regarding Legislation dealing
with the status of the employees and
TO assist as best they can in mat
ters for the protection of the inter-
ests of tire gepef ] public acro-d-
ing to b II. Jewell, acting president
of the RAILWAY emploN DE- ,artn,e mt
OF the American Federation of La
Dor. who will be a party to the con-
ference.
Set Forth Views OF Conference.
The statement to be prepared by Mr..
Gompers is expected to set forth the
views of the conference as t. W st
should be the provisions in the rail-
road bill affecting both the men and
the public in the disposition of the
railroads.
1T is our purpose to avoid a strike
q strike is war and we are looking
for peace" said Il spokesman for the
railroad workers today. 'An this
agitation about an impending strike
is most unfortunate.
Those invited to the conference py
Nir. Gompers include: William john
ston, president of the International
Association of Machinists: Louis
Weyand acting interna ito al pres.-
dent of the Brotherhood OF Boiler
makers; James Kline, international
president of the Interr ational Broth n
erhood of Blacksmiths; ]. j. Hynes,
International president OF the Sheet
Metal Workers: j. J. Noonar. inter-
national president of the lnteTna- :
ticnal Broth rnood OF Electrical Wcrt-
era; n. f. Ryan. president Oh tee
brotherhood of Railroad firenien: j
J. FORESTER, president of-the Brot Sr-
hood of RAILWAY CLERKS. sam +. He
.,erIins president OF tfe Swlichlnen
Union. ". s. Stone. grant chief OF thf
brotherhood OF LocoInc tlNe EngI-
Il
I.ocomoti .e FL ennen and Eng nernen
=, Il. Sheppard. president OF the Or
der of Railway Conductors; w. u
Lee Dresiient of the Brotherhood CT
I:ail 'ay Traann'en; b J. Mannlns
president of the Order of Railway
Telegraphers- 4. Z. Far%er. presideIt
Of the Urited Bro,hert ood OF Malnte-
nance of Way Emp'oves-
COnferces Optimistic.
While the railroad employees are
,nassing their forces here TO impress
their wishes and views upon Congress
the con erees on the tunTnlns plii
s,,osti,uted by the Senate for the Escf
hill pa ssed by tI,. House, are optinlis-
tic that legislation can b" pat tiirou2 /
i'm time 10 handle thc situation Nhri
rhe roads are turned hack 10 private
ownership or March J. according it
:ba proclamation of President VI iison
In "a General way the demands oi
,he railroad employees as transmitted
20 Congress have been for two
ear extension OF the period oG led
raj control When they saw no hope
for the acceptance OF the Plumb plar
nv either committee or either branct
az Congress they focused their drive
ON the two-year extension proposition
rChe reception they received the Other
.Iay at the White House and tho ac
ION of the President in announcing
March ] as the date for returning til,
railroads should impress the railroad
workers the conferees feel, that ther,
is no chance OF further extending led
eral control
Leaders in the legislative conferenc.
(Toaday express coufidenc" that the.
IN get the railroad bill through Con
rass before March J.. There j. q sim
, ar.. desire and determination on th'
,,.rt OF the confcrJe5 to do this. The,
5.aIize that there is widespread de
land Throughout the country for def
r.;te action as soon as possible consist
.rt with the enactment Of suitable leg
1stattOn.
Chicago COnfe renee Called.
Besides tine conference here of rail
road workers, there is Il call out for al
1-affic organizations to send representa-
yives from all parts OF the country to
conference in Chicago TO formulate thei
vtays on the pending legislation and Il
suggest what they think Is Hecessar.
:. nd desirable for the period of recon
str,Iction and to meet the needs Of futur
, ,naratIop of the railroads. Other inter
.sts also are formulating their sugges
LIONS and recommendations in the forn
~ uetitio4ls ard briefs, so that The cuIl
ferees before the middle of next wee
cxnect TO have before them The ;.dvic
~ leaders in all lines ot activity fleet
nag or affected by tho railroad situa
ton
When the legislative conf, recs nlc..
.,u Monday the labor provisions o
fhe proposed bills Will be the priit
..fpai differences to be adjusted. Ties
r ave not yet been considered at al
~ the conferees- In the Senate bIl