The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-14
Presidents Proposal Apparently
Leaves Wage Question For
Owners to Settle.
SUGGESTION HELD SECRET
Maintenance of Way Brother
hood Has Not Called Off It's
Strike Set for Tuesday.

Washington, Feb. 13.-Negotiations
of union railroad employees for in
creases in pay practically were sus-
pended tonight until the railroads are
again in the hands of their owners.
There remained as a finale only the
presentation to President Wilson of the
union reply to his statement given
them earlier in the day and this like
ly will be sent to the white house to-
morrow. Neither side would tell what
the presidents proposal was.
President Lee of the trainmen after
a conference this afternoon with Di-
rector-General Hines, indicated the
white house decision. would be binding
on trainmen as we'll as others.
Hines wrote to the maintenance OF
way unions restating his attitude. 1t
was limited that he informed them they
could expect nothing further in the
way of wage increases from the rail-
road administration.
An "unalterable" decision in the
railroad wage controversy was made
by President Wilson in conference with
representatives of the brotherhood
The president said the governments
policy was based on justice to all
interests"
The presidents decision was not an
lOunceu dL the WnlJe mouse. OFFICIALS
said it was "a decision containing
proposal" From this it was assumed
the president had refused TO grant gen.
eral wage increases, but had made a
counter proposition to the men.
Secretary Tumulty declined to say
whether the president had refused
specifically the wage demands saying
that everyone wants to settle the strike,
and that the brotherhood chiefs should
have an opportunity TO consider the
presidents suggestion or proposal
without outside interference.
The presidents statement that the
governments policy was based on
justice to all interests" is in line with
the final word presented to the union
leaders by Director General Hines at
the last conference with them.
Mr.. Hines was understood to have
told the men that with the return OF
the roads to private control under the
new railroad bill and impartial tribu-
nal for consideration of their demands
would be created.
Mr. Hines was understood 10 have
suggested to the president that il an
increase in wages were granted the
men the roads would seek an increase
in freight rates which would mean
increasing living costs, This argu-
rnent was presented to the union lead
ers on several occasions by the di-
doctor general, it was said at the rail-
road administration. Inasmuch as the
unions were pressing strongly for a
in living costs. officials said
there was reason to believe the presi-
dent had employed this in his answer
to the union spokesman.
When the railroad men greeted the
president they told him he was looking
very well.
Il have just been shaved" said the
president. That helps Bit
The president, sitting in his wheel
chair in a corner under the portico,
in the blanket, shook hands
with the men when Secretary TumuIty
presented them. They stood up
throughout the conference with their
overcoats on, but their hats in their
hands. The president pressed them
to put their hats on because Of the
dampness, but they refused.
After reading his statement, the
president asked them to give consider
alton to his suggestion and they prom
sed to do so.
After leaving the white house, the
representatives met other
union officials who have been confer
ring with Director General Hines and
later all or them went into conference
to discuss the presidents reply. All
Of the unions except the Brotherhood
Of Maintenance of Way Employees were
The brotherhood men would 1ot say
what the proposal was, Timothy Shea
acting president of the brotherhood
'iremen and enginemen announcing
hat they would make statement to-
lay.
K. VI. Jewell, president Of the rail-
way department of the American Fed
,ration of Labor announced that the
PRESIDENTS proposal would have to be
put up to the men," before any an
could be made by the
Inion representatives.
Besides Mr.. Jewell and Mr.. Shea, K.
+. Manion, president of the Order of
Telegraphers was present at
he conference. The president met
he representatives on the south por-
leo of the white house and read
statement which he had prepared after
study of the report on the wage
presented 10 him by Di-
-ector General Hines.
The conference lasted only about