New-York tribune., 1920-02-16
Rail Workers
To Start New
War ON Prices
Union Believes Government
Has ''Not Held Together
in Its Drive ON the
High Cost Of Living1'
Plans Go to Conference
Will Not Conflict With Pro-
gram of Compers, but
Will Add to His Policies

which to continue Its campaign
against high living costs has been in
itiated by railroad labor, it was dis
closed tonight by union officials.
While the wage demands of the two
million railroad workers, which have
held official attention since February
3, will be held in temporary allegiance
at the request of the President, there is
no disposition on the part of union
leaders to regard their work as COM
plete or to await altogether final de-
cision on the whole wage controversy
to be given by the general conference
of union committeeman to be held here
on February %.
The attitude Of the union officials,
while they expressed qualification at
the recognition of certain Of their
principles by President Wilson, is pre-
dicated on an apparently general belief
among their membership that the gov
ernment has mot held together in any
spectre" Much criticism was directed
at Congress and the heads of executive
departments during the recent wage
negotiations, leaders said.
The general feeling of railroad labor
was expressed in this question, asked
by union official who has carried it's
grievances through the entire negoti-
ations:
"Are we as Americans to admit that
we cannot control the profiteer?"
Exact Program Not Known
The program under consideration
will in no way run counter to the plan
of the American Federation of Labor,
which has announced it's intention Of
engaging aggressively in the coming
po1i%ico1 cop,po;rp Will %b;e ro;IrooJ
union leaders said they were in COM
plete accord. They propose, however,
an amplifcation of and an addition to
the policies outlined by Sampel Com
pers, Federation president, with the
purpose of "benefting all Of the peo-
pie while helping labor"
There was no indication Of the exact
form which the program will take. 1t
can be stated, however, that it will con-
tain recommendations to Congress
which all Of organized labor will be
said they desired to have their ideas
worked out comprehensively for sub
mission to the general conference next
week.
Intimation was given that a plea
was to be made to the more determined
of the railroad union members, who
have relentlessly demanded faction and
relief" Some of the conservative lead
ers seemed to feel that the Presidents
proposition to create commission
of wage experts and then, either
tute wage tribunal for dealing with
the union claims, might not entirely
meet approval Of their membership.
The program they have taken up, there
fore, would fortify the union heads
against the pressing of demands which
some declared would be unwise at this
time.
To Await Developments
B. F. Jewell, acting president Of the
railway employees department, Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, to-day ex-
pressed satisfaction with the progress
made thus far. He said he believed the
unions membership would acquiesce in
here to await developments.
Local leaders have been assured thew
would be made acquainted with all de-
tails of the negotiations and have been
urged to await the receipt of the corre-
spondence between the union officials.
Director General Hines and the Presi-
dent.
Reference was made to-day to the
statement of the union heads supple
Imenting their reply to Mr.. Wilson, in
that it had set forth an indication
OF what the unions would accept as a
minimum. This statement, taken with
the replynto the President, was inter
1 preted by leaders themselves as por-
! tending the exertion of union power
more than has hitherto been known in
1 its demands for a "fnal and definite
I solution of the problems arising from
\ the wage claims.
Officials stressed the Importance of
the section of the reply to the Presi-
dent declaring that whaever decision
is reached must include a revision OF
the present relationship of railroad
labor wages to that of other industries
Without that change-which means ar
increase in pay, they said-railroad
labor will not be entirely satisfied, il
was declared
Various elements in the railroad
unions tried throughout the war tc
bring this angle of their claims to s
crystallization, but the leaders sale
they stayed their demands because eve
wanted to keep ourselves out of the
class OF profteers, we wanted to be
free to say we did not take advantage
of our government" Leaders now were
said to feel that the emergency has
passed and therefore they are pre-
pared to combine in campaign
against living costs, to demand higher
wages and to request the establish
ment Of policy which will place al
labor on an equal plane with othe,
trades in order to bring industria
peace"
Asked to Study Principles
} All union officials who are to at
|, tend the general conference here hav
been asked to give study to the prin
: ciples outlined in the letter to tn
! President. with the thought that
additions should be made they woul
= be prepared to submit them withou
delay. The leaders hope to make tn