Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-12
Grave Consequences De-
pend Upon Outcome of
Conference Friday.


wilson will have a personal con-
ference tomorrow win three repre-
ssntatiyes of the railroad brother
hoods to discuss the wage demands
nj the 100000 railroad employees
which are to be referred to him to-
day by Director General Hines.
Selection Of their spokesman
we're left by the president to the
unton representatives who chose
BM. Jewell, acting president of
the railway employees department
of the American Federation Of
Labor; W. ]. Manion, president OF
The Order of Railway Telegraph
ers. and Timothy Shea, acting pres
jdcnt Of the Brotherhood OF Fire
men and Enginemen.
Presidents Suggestion.
It was said at the White house
that the president had been giving
tbe railroad situation serious
thought for several days and that
, Il was his own suggestion that he
see the union men. He was under
stood to have felt that he could
handle the situation better If he
saw the representatives personally.
Confer on Lawn.
The union leaders will see the
president on the south lawn at the
White house. where Mr.. Wilson
spends q portion of each morning.
Before meeting the brotherhood Of
fcials the president will study in
detail their position on the wage
negotiations, which Mr.. Hines will
submit through Secretary Tumulty.
The director general was in con-
ference with Mr.. Tumulty this
morning and then returned to his
Office to complete his memorandum
fer the president, who will be asked
10 make the final decision on the
demands presented by the railroad
workers nearly year ago.
Embodles Arguments.
Mr.. Hines memorandum, which
vls sent to the White house short
ly before noon, was understood to
embody the claims and arguments
Of the union officials with whom he
has been comforting since Feb.
While railroad administration Of
fcials and union representatives ap-
parently were inclined to regard
the situation as quiescent, White
house officials expressed concern
at the gravity of the problems pre-
sented. Without disclosing what
these questions were. it was de-
clared that the general public did
not realize the serious nature OF is
sues involved.
Some Object.
Union officials, with the exception
Of Maintenance of Ways Employees,
and the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen. apparently were willing
10 leave the case in the hands of
Inc president Although there was
dissatisfaction because living costs
mad not been reduced, it was evil
uent that the union men felt that
another opportunity should be
gwen for adjustment of the differ
ences which have been held in abey-
ance at the presidents request
since they were submitted last
July.
Hines Sees ShOpmen.
Mr.. Hines has made a tentative
appointment for this afternoon with
:. 3. Malloy. vice president of the
nIotnerhood Of Maintenance Of
way Employees and Shop Laborers,
ano his committee of 10, to discuss
Ms organizations alleged griev-
Aaees which led to its call for a
sG,ke next Tuesday.
". Z. Lee, president of the Broth
e'nood OF Railroad Trainmen, also
sn to confer with the director
general on his individual reasons
~ invalidating the agreement
"eicn his organization has.
Noelncation Of intention to break
w agreement was given Mr.. Hines
~. -, ~, which. under the 30-day
oause' will leave the organization
."nout working contract with
Se railroad administration on Feb.
~ a1 days before the roads return
+" their owners.
Give Officers Concern.
lne action Of Mr., Lee admittedly
swing administration officials
s.fn. saeefn. While his representatives
~. 's participated in all sessions Of
s .Ss general conference, Mr.. Lee
'enoed his organization had re-
~. .ed the right to press its griev-
ior adjustment separately.
~ aeciined to add to his statement
Yesterday. which asserted the
Lsamen had waited sufficiently
S"e LOT the government to force
'0Sn living costs.
Open Is Headquarters.
.uss!foit. Mich, Feb. 12.-Strike
\ II Yaafters were to be opened in
O., ies today by divisional Off
s,,. W The Brotherhood OF Mainte-
ssd T 0 Way Railway Employees
vS,..n hallway Shop Laborers, from
ior n n. .ne nation wide strike called
No rs9' n will be directed.
~. plans for the strike hare
a." made. union officials here de-
~ and only an agreement be-
h ~. representatives OF the men
4, ".saingtcn and President Will
n.y. .aey said, would avert the