South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-12
DIRECTOR HINES
UNABLE To AGREE
WITH UNION HEADS
Appeal to President Taken
by Rail Mer Following
Failure of Conference.
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with the chief executives of the rail
road labor organizations for the pur-
pose Of devising means of disposing
of the pending claims for waee in
creases. During these conferences
the executives of the labor organi-
cations have expressed their views
with great ability and frankness.
The director general has not been
able to agree with them as 10 how
the problem should be disposed of
in view of the early termination Of
federal control, and is now laying
before the president the represen-
tations of the executives OF the or
CARNATIONS and also his own report
for the purpose of obtaining the
presidents decision in the premises.
In any event. the conferences have
been decidedly helpful in bringing
out a clearer development as TO the
real issues involved and as to the
character of evidence Lertinent to
those issues and the discussion
throughout has been characterized
by courtesy as well as candor and
with a sincere purpose on the part
of all 10 try TO find solution
Separate Claims Not Included.
The separate grievances and
claims of the brotherhood of rail-
road trainmen were not included by
Mr.. Hines in the data sent to the
white house. W. c. Lee, president
of the trainmen, will confer again
tomorrow with Mr.. Hines. In a
statement tonight. Prest Lee de
clared that the government had not
succeeded in reducing the cost Of
living by the campaign begun last
summer and he, therefore, felt he
could no longer hold the demands
in allegiance.
The trainmen." said Mr. Lee,
take the position that more than
a reasonable time has since elapsed
and that the cost of living has not
been reduced, but instead bias been
increased since that time and that
it is now up to the federal govern
ment to make the pledge made by
ment TO make good pledge made by
August as understood by labor.
Il expect TO get the written an
swer of the director general TO the
trainmen's request at the next con
ference with him. after which the
special committee of 20 officers and
general chairmen, authorized by the
international convention of the
brotherhood to handle the subject.
Will take final action relative TO its
disposition.
Talks With Palmer.
Events leading up TO the disagree
ment between the conferences came
raLidly. During the course of the
day. Mr.. Hines conferred with Atty.
Gen. Palmer, acquainting him with
details of the controversy. The
meeting was not TO be con
strued as indicating action by the
department of justice. however, Mr..
Palmer declared. The attorney gen
eral declined TO say whether any
action was contemplated under the
Lever act in event of a strike. say
ing that the department did not
would be needed. if any were neces-
sary at all.
Following his conference with
Mr.. Palmer. the director general
met all members of the union dele
cation with the exception of repre-
sentatives of the brotherhoods Of
maintenance Of way employees. who
have called a meeting for Feb. L..
This meetinS lasted two hours, at
the conclusion of which Mr. Hines
met with the members of his staff
relative 10 the railroad administra-
tons next move. The union lead
ers who. at yesterdays session had
presented a second epitome of their
views, also held a separate confer
ence at which it was definitely de
termined to close their case.