Evening star., 1920-02-14
us. RAIL EMPLOYEES
MAKE WAGE REPLY
TOHEAD Of NATION
Three Union Leaders, Acting
for 100000 Workers,
State Their Position.

Three men representing 1000. 600
railway employees throughout the
United States today presented the re-
ply OF their unions to President Will
sons proposal for a settlement of the
wage question.
The contents of that reply. which
VIII give definite understanding of
the position Of the railroad men. were
not made public.
Greatest care is being exercised to
see that when the public is Informed
OF the state of affairs the presentation
Will not be lacking in accuracy.
We wish TO use the greatest care
IN the publication of the reply" de-
clared Timothy Shea. representing
the fremen and enginemen. Unless a
precise. accurate and strictly authen-
tic account is rendered to the public"
ne said, "a grave industrial crisis
may result"
Immediately after presenting their
reply the union officials sent tele-
grams to their locals over the coun-
try, which b. NJ. Jewell president of
the railway department of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor said would
serve to steady our men until they
receive the full correspondence COW
ering the negotiations
Maintenance Men Net included.
1t was announced by the union men
that the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen had Joined in the decision
submitted to the President, but that
the Brotherhood of Maintenance of
way Employees had not become
party to it. The maintenance of way
men have been ordered to strike Tues
day.
Consider President's Proposal.
From early this morning until
shortly before 1 o'clock, representa-
tives of the railroad employees unions
reviewed, discussed, dissected and
considered the Presidents PROPOSAL.
with view to its effect upon the
conditions of the railroad workers
Yesterday afternoon the representa-
tives went into a conference. which
lasted from O'Clock until after g.
The committee which called upon
President Wilson yesterday, consists
ing of Timothy Shea. acting presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Firemen
and Enginemen; B. NJ. Jewell. presi-
dent of the railway department OF
the American Federation of Labor,
and +. j. Manion, president of the
Order of Railway Te1egrapners, was
handed the matter at the adjourn
ment of the conference of representa-.
tives last night. and went into details
of the proposition.
The representatives met again this
morning. They were in communica-
! ton with union heads throughout the
country.
| The reply was completed today and
| presented at the White House as ar
| ranged. Officials waited expectantly.
The statement defined the situation
and brought knowledge of strike or
acceptance.
Concludes Series of Meetings..
| Director General Hines conferred
| briefly late yesterday with w. q. Lee,
president of the Brotherhood of Rail-
road Trainmen, and a committee from
his organization. This conference, 10
| far as the railroad administration is
| concerned. was said to conclude the
| series of meetings on the wage ques-
| tion.
Mr. Hines also late yesterday sent
| a letter TO the Brotherhood of Main
tenance of Way Employees. restating
| his attitude toward that groups
strike. He did not make public the
nature of his communication. but 1t
was hinted he had Informed the main
tenance workers they could expect
nothing further in the way of wage
increases from the railroad adminis-
! tration Members of the committees
! that has been representing the main,
tenance employees, however. denied
this but declared there had been no
decision to call off the strike which
has been set for Tuesday.
After Mr.. Hines had given the ad-
ministration's final word to Mr.. Lee
organization. the tralnmen presluehl
announced he regarded the White
House decision las binding on our
union as well as the others"
Although Mr.. Lee declined to discuss
the next move he would make. 1t was
understood he would not break from
the other organization. 1t was indi-
Gated also that the wage agreement,
notice of abrogation of which was
given for February 2S, might be al
lowed to remain in effect until the
termination of federal control. Mem
bers of his committee seemed to ac-
cept this as their chiefs stand.
The general attitude of the union
officials. after being made acquainted
with the Presidents statement in
conference on the south lawn OF the
White House, was plainly one of dis
appointment Some of them were
openly dissatisfied, but the more con-
servative leaders urged that they bide
their time in the hope of success along
other lines.