Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-02-24
RA|LROADMEN
MAY NOW BREAK
Wide Difference Of View Held by
ConferTing Committeeman
NO SOLUTION AS YET
Condemned by Organized La
Dor Railroad Bill Has Gone
TO the White House

By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-Threats
of break in the affiliated railroad
employees organization initiated to-
day against immediate solution of the
question before the representatives OF
the two million rail workers conferr.
Ing here on President Wilson's pro-
posal for q settlement of their wage
demands.
Because of the wide divergence OF
views held by the committeeman call
ed to Washington to consider the
White House policy executives of the
organization admitted that they did
not know whether they could hold the
strength they had gained when it
was agreed ten days ago that the or
ganization should affiliate to consider
the proposal.
In every conference, 1t was said,
demands for an appeal to the Presi-
dent to veto the railroad bill contin-
ues to grow more insistent. The
leaders therefore were confronted
with task of explaining to the local
chairman the basic reasons for their
tentative acceptance of the Presi-
dents plan while the latter were bit
terly attacking the governments con-
troversy.
The leaders also were forced to
combat moves of radical elements In
several directions. They said these
might take definite form at any hime.
President Wilson will not act i'm
|mediately on the compromise rail-
road bill. 1t was announced at the
White House today that the President
had directed that the measure be re-
ferred to the department of justice
as soon as it reached the White House
from Congress. The executive has
ten days In which to pass on the act
before 1t can become a law without
his signature. 1t Is generally ex-
pected that he will be urged by rep
resentatives of the railroad brother
hood and organized labor generally to
veto the bill because of it's labor and
other provisions.
The railroad men oppose this sec
ton because it provides for tri-partite
labor boards whereas they desire to
return to the old method of negotia-
ton and decision by representative OF
the workers and the railroads.
Unanimously condemned by or
ganized labor, the railroad bill now
goes to the White House. where a di-
rect appeal may be made by the
unions for veto to prevent the arbi-
tration provisions going into effect
Several officers declared such an
Iappeal was necessary to meet the un-
'rest among their membership. Strike
talk was open in the hotel lobby
where the union gathered through
some higher officers discountenanced
it. While claiming n strike call would
be 100 per cent. effective, they ex-
pressed belief that this was not the
time for such drastic measures, be-
cause of public disapproval such a
course would command.
President WILSON'S proposal dis
cussed heatedly in secret meetiJgs
may be accepted by the union men
according to reliable information
Many documents bearing on the wage
question and the cost of living has
been circulated between the White
House, railroad administration and
committee meetings of the fifteen
railroad unions. None of the unions
expected to finish consideration of the
Question before tonight, while num-
Der probably will require tomorrow
also to formulate their reply.