The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-02-10
Leaders of Two Million Union
Members Say They Must be
Given Wage Increase
Demanded.
HINES ANSWER TODAY
Full Increase Not to be Allowed and
.-t Threats of Walkout are
Not Considered .
f Serious.
IBy Ralph F. Couch, United Pres

L
SlaH Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Feb. l0.-Leaders
of two million closely organized union
railroad workers were to 60 into con-
ference with Rail Director Hines here
today to receive a direct answer to
their demands for immediate wage In
creases totalling $4,000, 100000 year.
Hines promised to give them his an
swer in writing, leaders said.
IF it is not what we want, we'll
strike" said President w. G. Lee OF
the Brotherhood OF Railway Train
men. "The time for dickering is past
Hines will tell the delegation the
full increase is impossible at this
time, it was plainly indicated, al
though the rail director has made no
statement of his decision. 1t is well
understood, however, that he plans to
admit that the rail workers are en-
titled to some increases. He Is ex-
pected to propose some form OF in
yestigation and settlement through an
Independent agency, probably a COM
mission to be naned by President
Wilson.
The president, Hines feels certain,
will be able to put the proposition In
such a way that the railroad nien will
be forced to approve settlement by
peaceful means, or be condemned
from the start by public opinion.
This is how the railroad administra-
ton is planning to handle the s1tua-
tion precipitated by the general chair
men of the union of maintenance OF
way work ers at Detroit who fixed Feb
II as the day for beginning their
share of the threatened strike.
Railroad administration officials are
prepared for a general outburst or
strike threats beginning today and to-
night when the union leaders are In
possession Of Hines answer to their
demands.
Olncials today expressed confidence,
however, there would be no extensive
walkout, although they are prepared
for the usual tense moment, that al.
ways comes at one point during all
such negotiations as are now gong on.
Union leaders indulged in many strike
threats last spring, officials recall. 1t
was then that the present demands
we're first submitted. Pressing OF the
demands was postponed, however, at
the request Of President Wilson who
asked the rail men to give the govern
ment a reasonable time in which to
grapple with the living cost problem.
Officials also recall that in Decem-
Der, union leaders privately admitted
there would be no nation wide strike.
This was after the government invok-
ed the injunction in the coal strike.
While house officials regard as
most serious" the situation precipi-
tated by orders to 100000 Maintenance
of Way and Railway Shop Laborers to
walk out Feb. II, in their demands for
wage increases are not granted by the
railroad administration by that date.
Secretary Tumuty was to confer
with President Wilson today on the
forthcoming action.
Disagree on Methods.
WASHINGTON, Feb. lU.-Leaders
of two million railroad workers
threatening strike today, disagreed
on methods of conducting further
negotiations with Rail Director
Hines.
The union heads were still at work
on a communication which they are
to lay before Hines and which they
say is in the nature OF an ultimatum.
w. G. Lee, head Of the railroad
trainmen, said he would have moth
ing TO 40 WIFI lHlS uICiuldIlLL aLlu io
and several other leaders did not at
tend the meeting today.
The railroad men were to have met
Hines at II o'clock today to present
their communication. Just before the
conference was to open, however.
they asked for postponement.
Lee and other union officials re-
fused to divulge the nature of the
proposed ultimatum, but Lee said:
Il viii not sign it."
Prosecution Threatened.
TOPEKA, Kans., Feb. 10.--Main-
tenance of the Way Workers and