The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-02-13

Immediately after tho announCeWclil
from ths White House that the presis
dent would sec a union committees OF
threc persc~ llly. q meeting or all union
heads interested in the controversy was
called and preparations were begun Tor
possihl presentation of verbal claims
in mplifiCation of the written state
ments submitted through Director Cen
eral Hines. Tho employees will be rep
resented by r. NJ. Jewell, acting prcsi-
dent Of the Railway Employees Depart
ment, American Federation OF LABOR:
E j. Manion. President Of the Order or
Railroad Telegra piers and Timothy
Shea, acting president Of tho Brother-
hood Of Locomotive Fircmcn and EnSi-
men. The conference will be held on
the south lawn OF the White House:
where Mr.. Wilson spends portion or
his mornings.
VIII Be Refused.
There was unmistakeable evidence to-
night among the union ofticials or 1ne
fear that the president would refuse TO
grant their wage demands. \ few said
frankly they could see no hope or a
settlement favorable to them. TINS
view seemed to have been based on the
arguments offered in rehuttal by Mr.:
Hines. as the union leaders presented
new claims or proposals.
Director General Hines In transmit
tiag data on the controversy to Presi-
dent Wilson today was understood 10
nave made suggestions ItldIi'c 70 q
final disposition OF the problem. These
however. did not take the form or deti-
nite recommc ndation, IT was said.
Union leaders had knowledge OF what
Mr. Hines stand was. and they were
understood 10 fear the presidents de-
clslon would follow closely along the
same lines.
The director general In his confer
enccs with the union heads told them
that he could not grant their demands
~. .A,-f,Ni ion OF
federal control and explained that. pend
ing legislation. passage OF which vas
expected. would set up machinery. which
would provide impartial and unbiased
handling OF the wage claims. The union
argument to this was that they were
thus compelled to face another delay
With no assurances of relief.
other Controversies.
While tn, controversies with the
other unions were QuiesCent because
OF switch in the center of interest
from the railroad administration 70 the
White House. Mr.. Hines conferred
with representatives OF tho Brother
hood Of Maintenance OF Way Employees
and Shop Laborers who have called a
strike II their 100000 members for
Tuesday Members Of Brotherhood OF
Railroad station employees and chiefs OF
Longshoremen's union.
The conference with the maintenance
OF way workers resulted practically in
placing their demands in the same cat
egory with those now before the presi-
dent.
Mr. Hines told the committee frankly
that he could not agree to their de-
mands for higher pay at this time. but
informed them Of his willingness to
leave the case open. pending decision
OF tho president.
Differences between the railroad ad-
minlstration and the station employees
md longshoremen were understood to
Aave been settled several weeks ago.
but Mr.. Hines told them at that time
he would discuss their grievances fur
thPr whenever they desired. 2. J.
Coyle. president OF station employees.
said after the conference he had not
been given what he intended getting"
but that the question had not been
0iSnnscd of finally.