Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-02-10
WH|TEHOUsE1 IN
FEAR OF STRIKE
Deeply Concerned Regard.
ing Threat of Railroad
Employees.
ALL BROTHERHOODS
MAY BE CALLED OUT

volvs Men Of Other Unions, Who
A. lnsistlns Upon Immediate Ae-
tisn on Their Demands For Wage
lnessasss May intervene.
Washington, Feb. 10.-White House
officials and the administration re-
gard 40 most serious" the call is
sued for q strike of maintenance of
way employees.
Secretary Tumulty will see Presi-
dent Wilson today to lay before him
the matter. emphasizing the point
that this strike may be the opening
wedge of strike of all employees
should the demands for higher
wages be refused by Director Hines
in his conference now in progress. :
Mr.. Hines is understood to have
conferred with Secretary Tumulty
for more than three hours last
night, outlining the situation for
presentation to the presidents
Wage negotiations Of railway en-
ployes with Director Hines reached
a criticalsstage and in SO far as
railway shopmen are concerned a
strike loomed unless demands are
settled" w. G. Lee, president of the
union, has served notice that his
men are very insistent and must
have definite answer soon." To
this Mr.. Hines replied that no state
ment could be made until he had
conferred with all the labor repre-
sentatives.
Strike Vote Being Taken.
Mr.. Hines made tentative ap-
pointment with Mr.. Lee for late to-
day to consider the demands.
Railroad administration officials
understand iAet strike vote is be-
ing taken b trainmen. 1t is ad-
mitted that Mr.. Lee had informed the
director general Of the unions In
tention to fnvalidate It's wage agree
ment on the prescribed thirty days
notice. On that basis he required an
answer by Feb. %, less than a week
4 In advance OF the return Of the roads
] 10 rrisa41 cnntsol-
Il = uMAentood that Mt. Lee has
not tho aggressive support OF the
other unions in enforcing demands
with the strike weapon. Most of
those attending the conference were
silent on this question, but some Of
the brotherhood leaders held they
should receive Mr.. Hines proposal
before determining their future
course !.
Demand Uniform Rate.
The strike, In addition to wage
increases, requested last summer, is
to secure q uniform rate from coast
to coast. II would affect storehouse
employees, stationary firemen. sta
tionary engineers, steel bridge work.
ers, cinder pit men and oilers as
well as other members Of the broth
erhood.
A committee Of ten left last night
for Washington. The committee
viii remain in Washington up until
the time set for the strike to take
effect. It has full authority TO
enter into negotiations with the
Director general. Mr.. Barker said.
With the departure Of the COM
mittee the conference came to an
end. -
In explaining the decision to call
= strike Mr.. Barker said:
1.-THE railroads are soon to be
returned to private ownership and
we feel that this wage controversy
which is with the federal railroad
administration should be adjusted
before they are released. Our rep
resentatives have been in confer
ence with the director general for
ten days. He has not promised
anything and we do not believe he
Is going thrAo So We decided to
issue the strike icall before the rail-
road administration should have
opportunity to pass the burden to
the private owners Of the lines"
Demands Presented Last July.
"The public should know" Mr..
Barker continued, "that this strike
call IL not something that has been
decided upon prscipitately but dates
back to last July. Wage demands
were presented, to the railroad ad-
ministration af that time and the
brotherhood authorized a strike to
enforce them. y
I'VE held q strike ID allowance.
however. upon President wilson, 1
request that he be permitted an
opportunaty 20 tring about a reduc-
fion in living costs, He saked for
: .rentonshle time.' whioh IA fred
at Glxkv In SstnAtv Aasfa Wa h.vA