The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-10
White House Regards r. r.
Situation as Critical.
Union Chiefs InsiStent Upon
Wage Hike Now.
HINES WILL REFUSE INCREASE
Repetition of Last Falls Pro-
gram Now in Prospect.
Storm of Strike Threats Ex-
pected by Government.

Washington. Feb. 1O.-Wage nego-
tiations of the railway employees with
Director General Hines reached a crit
ical stage today and insofar as the
brotherhood of railway trainmen is
concerned strike loomed unless
pending demands are satisfactorily
settled.
W. G. Lee. president of the union.
has served notice on Mr.. Hines that
have a definite answer soon. To this
Mr.. Hines replied that no statement
of position could be made until he had
again talked with the whole body of
la bor representatives.
White House officials regard as
most serious the situation precipi-
tated by orders to 800, 900 maintenance
of way and railway shop laborers to
walk out February II if their de-
mands fo- wage increases are not
tion by that date.
Secretary Tumulty was to confer
with President Wilson today on the
forthcoming action. The presidents S
| Rail Director Hines one of them hold
| ing three hour conference with him
last night.
Force Peaceful Settlement.
The president. Hines feels certain,
will be able to put the proposition in
| such way the railroad men will be
forced to approve a settlement by
| peaceful means, or be condemned
| from the start by public opinion.
This is how the rail administration
/ Is planning to handle the situation
lprecipitated ID by general chairmen of
the Union of Maintenance of Way
Workers at Detroit who fixed Fehru-
ary IT as a day for beginning their
part of the threatened strike.
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. Officials
early today expressed confidence, how
ever, there will be no extensive walk
out altho they are prepared for the
usual tense moment that always comes
during all such negotiations.
! Union leaders indulged in many
strike threats last spring. officials re-
call. 1t was then that the present de-
mands were first submitted. PRESSING
| of the demands was postponed, how
ever, at request of President Wilson
that rail men give the government q
reasonable time in which to grapple
with the living cost problem.
| Officials also recall that in Decem-
Der union leaders admitted there would
be no nationwide strike. This was
after the government invoked the in
junction in the coal strike.
Union Men Arc Cautioned.
Detroit, Mich, Feb. 10.-Ten dele
gates of the United Brotherhood o1
Maintenance of Way and Railroa c
lShop Laborers today were en- route to
Washington to make a last effort t.
Iuntangle the wage puzzle.
This committee is vested with full
authority, it was said, at headquar-
ters here, to enter into negotiations
with the railroad administration and
accept any just settlement.
1t was directed to remain in Wash
lington. subject to call of Rail Director
Hines until the day of the proposed
strike ~
J. B. Malloy. vice president of the
Iorganizatio will head and direct the
committee. Malloy has been in Wash
'ington for some time trying to reach
! a settlement
President Barker. in a statement is
lsued last night, to be sent to the 300,-
1000 workers in the United States.
lcautioned the men not to resort to
violence and to always be law abid-
ling citizens"