The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-13
President Makes Proposal to
Brotherhood Leaders at
Personal Conference.
TERMS NOT DISCLOSED
Union Representatives Agree
to Cosnider Chief Execu-
tive's Decision.

1--WE 5 OeCISlOH.
Washington, Feb. ia. P.)-
President Wilson today made n pro
oosal to the representatives OF tn
brotherhoods for a settle
nent of their wage demands and tn
men agreed to give Il consideration
The brotherhood men would no
,ay what the proposaf was, Timoth,
shea, acting president of the Broth
'rhood Of Firemen and Bnginemcn
that they would make NJ
statement today.
b. M. Jewell, president OF the rail
way department of the American
federation of Labor. announced tina
he presidents proposal would hav'
o be put up to the men" befor
my announcement could be made b!
he union representatives
"UNALTERABLE,"
An ''unalterable" decision in
the railroad wage controversy
was made today by President
Wilson in conference with rep.
resentatlVes Of the brotherhood.
The president said tho govern
ment's policy was biased on JUS
tIce to all interests"
PROPOSITION INVOLVED.
"The president gave to the nen
n decision, which also involved
proposition" Secretary TumuIty
said. This decision will not be
given out to the press until after
the men have given their answer,
because the Write House does
not wish to embarrass the mon in
the consideration of the decision
and proposition"
From this IL was assumed the
president had refused to grant
general wage increases, but had
made a counter proposition TO the
men.
Farley Was Pleasant.
Timothy Shea, who spoke for the
abroad men, said the conference
ad been a pleasant one and taat tho
resident had done most of tlt0'talk~ ~
lg during the ten minutes the men
ere with him. He stated TINT the
residents decision and proposition
,ould have to be acted upon by all
( the representatives and that II
leeting would be called Immediately
ut II was doubtful whether the rail-
Dad men would be ready to make
reply to the president before to-
morrow,
Met on South isortioo.
Besides Mr. lowell nnd Mr. shea
!. j. Marion, president Ut the ord9f
I Railway Telegrapher& was rr3s
Mt at the cVrference. The president
lot the representatives on thn3snush
ortico Of the White House and read
statement which he had prepared
fter a study Of the report on the
ago negotiations presented to him
Y Directors General Hines.
The conference lasted only about
fteen minutes. The president was
1 his wheel chair. This was the
rst conference tho president has had
utsido of the sick room since his
lnoss began last fall, and the .lrst
mo he has seen any one other than
overnment officials. but his family
nd his physicians.
The original plan was for the pres
lent to meet the brotherhood repre-
4ntatives ON tho south lawn, but
as changed because of a drl2zllng
,in.
Shea Calls Meeting.
Mr.. Shea Immediately notified tho
Iher union officials who had been
with Mr. Hines. advising
lcm to call n conference to con-
der the presidents statement. llo
diCated the conference would con-
imo most of the day and might
q continued tomorrow. Ho said
,ere was no disposition on the part
tho union men to act hastily and
lat they desired 10 make complete
of the presidents state
ent before reaching a decision.
Won't Affect Feb. 10 Strike.
The prcaident's proposal. what
yer it was, was not expected to stay
ie strike nf the maintenance Of way
mplnyoa called for next Tuesday
The White House WAS expected TO
,suc a statement later In the day.
leanwhilc there was no intimntion
neither the president had offered a
lhstitute for an increase In wngcS
nd the nature of continuation or
az nght on the high cost Of living,
r whether hc rqkcd the workers 20
clay pressing their demands uniil
railroads were returned to the
riyatc owners March !.
1000 Ready TO Walk Out.
Salt Lake. Utah. Feb. l3--NcHriv
600 members of tho United Brother
1ud Of Maintenance of Way EN-
oyos and shop Workers arc ready
obey the strike order here Tues
~ morning unless their demands
r increased wages are met accord
~ 90 statement by Joseph Black
ar. tr'4surrr Of the organization.
lr Lake 'H ono ot tho dttecn dlvi-
Yn points selected for handling the
rihc.
Upholds Hines.
The president be- understood 20
lyr supported tho position which
.rrrfpr. General IlinoH took that tho
iy,mwDnf could not Increase the
IeDs of railroad Workers whom tie
llruIds urc to he returned to thair
Ittte ovrDrs within compare
trly short period.
Tho prcaldcnt's statement that tho
.vcrnmenfs policy WIS "b1sod ON
sficc 90 all interests IS ih line with
"a final word presented TO the union
ldrrs by Director General Hines nt
e last conference with them.
Nr Hines was understood 10 have
EEpsted 20 tho president that if an
crease lu wages were granted The
ru iho roads woulG seek an In
Dnse tn freight rates. which would
cam increased living costs This
Fumeut was prcse1tel to the union
idtrs On several occasions by the
rretor-tencrat. lt was said nt the
llraad administration. lnasmurh
TIE unions were pressing strongly