The Washington times., 1920-02-10
Chief Executive Receives Ulti-
matum Threatening Walkout
of 100000 on Feb. II.
MAY USE FORCE OF LAW
White House Contends 80 Days
Notice Must Be Given.
Labor In Conference.

President Wilson will take up the
matter Of increased wage demands
for railroad workers today.
Secretary Tumulty has held long
conference with Director General
Hines and will lay the entire matter
before the President today.
The threatened strike Of the main
tenance of way employees is regarded
as a serious situation at the White
House because 1t may open the way
for other strikes.
Call Strike Illegal
The White House takes the atu-
tude that this strike is illegal because
q thirty-day notice has not been given
and 1t was intimated that the Presi-
den may take steps to prevent the
strike by using the force of the law.
The labor leaders today drafted an
uitimatum which they were to present
to Director General Hines. 1t was ex-
pected that the Director General would
take the ultimatum to the White
House and confer later In the day
with the labor leaders again.
The railroad administration today
arranged to hold a conference with
committee from the 100000 of tho
maintenance Of way employees in an
attempt to reach some agreement
which would prevent the threatened
strike.
Have Nst Given Notice.
They said the maintenance Of way
union has given no formal notice to
iii
notice given was that the union had
decided to press it's original demands
for pay increases.
Little hope is held out by the
brotherhood leaders that any in
creases will be granted, and the best
they expect is some small adjustment
in wages as between various classes
of workers.
Strikes Threaten.
Furthermore the chiefs today are
open in their admissions that they
fear they will be unable to hold their
men in leash. They predict sporadic
unauthorized strikes, with the danger
that these may spread to a general
strike, II the workers receive no sat
isfaction.
With a strike of maintenance Of
way employees ordered for February
II. the leaders declared that this
would be an incentive to other work.
ers to strike.
Officials of the Railroad Admins
tration professed to be little worried
by the threatened strike of mainten-
ance Of way men, declaring that this
class of workers was poorly organ
ICED and could be easily replaced.
Get Direct Answer.
Leaders OF 100000 closely or
ganized union railroad workers were
to go into conference with Rail Di-
rector Hines here today to receive .
direct answer to their demands for
immediate wage increases totalling
81 ,0O0, 900, 900 year.
Hines promised to give them his
answer in writing, leaders said.
"If Ii isn't what we want we'll
strike" said President w. G. Lee OF
the Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men.
"The time for dickering is past"
Hines will tell the delegation the
full increase is impossible at this
time, IL was plainly indicated yester-
day, although the rail director has
made no statement of his decision.
Railroad administration officials
are prepared for a general outburst
Of strike threats beginning late today
and tonight when the union leaders
are in possession Of Hines answer
to their demands.
Officials early today expressed con-
fidence, however, that there will be
no extensive walkout, although they
are prepared for the usual tense
moment" that always comes at one
point during all such negotiations
as are now going on.