Evening star., 1919-08-29
Aim at Early Settlement.

IT is intimated that every effort Will
be made to effect an early settlement
of the railroad problems now under
consideration, in order that railroad
administration officials may cooper
ate with the President in the fight to
reduce the high cost of living.
The strike of the trainmen in Cali
fornia, Arizona and Nevada began, ac-
cording to the statement. as sympa-
thetic strike on account of contro-
yersy between the Paclhc Eiectric
Railway Company. privately owned,
and certain employees of that com
pany. The strike of the employees on
the steam road was entered upon
without any grievances being pre-
sented or alleged and was and is in
violation of the agreements between
the striking employees and the steam
road upon which they worked and
also of the national agreement be-
tween the United States Railroad Ad-
ministration and the chief executives
of the organizations to which the
strikers belong.
By the Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO. August 2S.-The
strike of railway men in the extreme
west and southw est. from Indications
was crumbling today. Warned by
Walker d. Hines, director general of
railroads. that if they did not operate
trains by o'clock Saturday morning
the railroad administration would un-
dertake to do SO. sentiment among
strik ers swung toward q return 10
work in many instances.
San Francisco yardmen, after hav-
ing been out about thirty-six hours
agreed to return to work at o'clock
this morning. Virtually normal con-
ditions had been restored at San Jose
Tracy and Oakland, important points
in the handling of trains to the south
and east. strikers having returned
to work last night. At Los Angeles
the question Of returning awaited ap-
proval of the meeting of union Of
ficers today, and second meetings OF
the locals represented by those of
ficers. These meetings were called
union officers who last night con-
ferred with railroad administration
officials.
Optimistic Statements.
Optimistic statements regarding 8
return to work were made by spokes-
men for the union men.
At San Bernardino, Calf, whers
members of the big four" brother.
to have expressed Willingness to re-
turn to work, but were bound by ar
agreement that all four crafts swoulG
return together. while other crafts
continued to oppose return.
Meanwhile traffic continued virtu.
ally paralyZed from Albuquerque, n
NJ, and Yuma, Ariz., west to Los An.
geles. and for a considerable distance
north and south of that point on al
lines.
Water Conserved in Desert.
No alleviation was reported from
desert town dependent upon raj
transport for water for domestic pur-
poses. but there were no reports OF
suffering anywhere. Steps for con.
servation of water continued at sew.
eral points. however. Like measures
were applied to gasoline at a number
of places.
Automobiles were still being uset
to handle mails in a number of in
stances. and it was said this method
| of moving the mails would be con.
tinued until it was seen that trair
service had been restored effectively
Still Tied Up at Los Angeles.
i By the Associated Press.
| LOS ANGELES, August 2s-The tie
up of all steam roads continued today
| in Los Angeles. although the railroad
companies announced they were will
| ing to give the strikers their old posts
and the brotherhood heads were work
! ing to induce strikers to return.
| The brotherhood leaders here an.
! nounced they will meet the strikers
| today and will place before them the
! ultimatum of Walker d. Hines. direc-
| tor general of the railroads, that the
! trains must be running by o'clock
| tomorrow.
! The brotherhood leaders were in
| session most of the night. They con-
ferred among themselves and with
railroad officials.