Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-02-13
RAILROAD MEN DEMAND
REDUCTION IN COST OF
LIVING OR HIGHER PAY

cuss their grievances further when
ever they desired. p. j. Coyle
president of the station employees
said after the conference he had
not been given what he INTENDED
getting but that the question had
not been disposed of finally.
The maintenance employees rep
resentatives presented statement
from their president, A. E. Barker,
the contents of which were not di-
vulged. j. p. Malloy, vice president,
who headed the delegation, how
ever, declared the agreement which
railroad administration officials
claimed would be broken by the
proposed strike, contained no pro-
vision with respect to wages which
required notice of thirty days be-
fore cancellation. His construction
of the agreement was that the thir-
ty-day clause applied only to
hours of service and working con-
ditions." On this basis, he contend
ed, official notice was unnecessary. :"
A conference had been tentative
ly arranged between Mr.. Hines and
w. G. Lee, president of the broth
erhood of railroad trainmen, but it
was deferred, pending the White
House decision.
White House officials indicated
strongly their feeling that the cri-
sis has not passed, even though the
negotiations thus far have been
harmonious. Developments have
been harmonious. Developments
have come so rapidly in the last
forty-eight hours that further
changes any one of several
which might prove serious-would
not be surprising.
Counter to this, however, was the
suggestion offered in many quar-
ters that regardless of the outcome,
rumors of strike of all rail work.
ers were not to be regarded seri-
ously at this time because of the
pending legislation. 1t was point
ed out that federal wage boards
have failed to satisfy few of the
organizations which come before
them with grievances and that the
railroad employees generally have
confidence in any report which
such a body as is proposed in the
Cummins- Esch bill would make in
their case.
Detroit, Mich, Feb. 12.-Any
fair proposition put forward by
President Wilson in the railway
wage controversy will receive the
serious consideration of officers of
the Brotherhood of Maintenance of
Way and Railway Shop Laborers,
il was announced at headquarters
here tonight. The statement was
also attributed to President Allen
Z. Barker that a more, concilatory
attitude would be adopted with
President Wilson If the president
reopened negotiations with the
maintenance of way men. who have
been ordered on strike next Tues
day.
1--WE will try to do the right
thing as we always have with the
president" Mr. Barker said. "if he
puts forward any fair proposition
we will accept it. We only ask a
fair deal"
Mr. Barker declined to say
WnetheE ne WoLlu hOlu up tHe
strike in event the president wish
ed more time to consider the mat
ter He also declined to discuss
report that he mad been asked if
he would call off the strike if a
wage tribunal were appointed. No
such proposal had yet been made,
it was said.
''If the railway mems demands
are rejected, Mr.. Barker said,
they will undoubtedly act as
unit. Two of the brotherhoods
have moved. l do not see how the
other twelve can hang back. be-
lieve the shop crafts will be the
next to back us up"