The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-14
Proposition Is
Based on Justice
to All Interests
Railroad Brotherhoods Take
TN Consideration of Sugges-
tions Made By President

Washington. Feb. 13.-~President
/ wilson's counter proposal to the de-
mands OF the railroad brotherhoods
for a wage increase was the subject
of consideration by representatives
OF the men at a series of conferences
which began shortly after their visit
TO the White House and which are
still in session tonight
The brotherhoods' Representatives
arc not expected to reach a decision
before tomorrow and until they do
reach a decision and revisit the White
House, the presidents proposition
will not be made public. The only
intimation today as to It's contents
was that 1t was based on Justice to
all interests
For fifteen minutes this afternoon
the president conferred with Timothy
Shea, acting president Of the brother
hood OF firemen and engineers: B.
NJ. Jewell, president of the railway de-
partment Of the American Federation
of Labor and e. T. Manion. president
OF the Order of Railway Telegraph
crs.
Save for d short conference the
president held month ago with Rer-
nard M. Baru.h, his visit with the
ANYWAY MEN " dS GIls fiist Stidh ne ite1FF
had with any persons outside of his
official family since last September
when he was taken i'll.
The PRESIDENTS views on tho rail-
road situation--views which affect
2 100000 employees who desire wage
increases given to the three men who
called upon him in the form of sew
eraf type written pages. These were
described as a proposal containing
decision" and the decision is under
stood to he unalterable.
The president met the brother
hoods representatives on the south
portico of the White House, when
they approached him, he greeted
them warmly, and suggested to them
that they replace their hats because
of the danpness OF the air.
PICTURE OF HEALTH
The president. according to the
men, looked the picture Of robust
health. He wore a sweater. a golf
cap and dark suit. Mr.. Shea and
his colleagues congratulated the pres
ident on his appearance.
I've just had shave replied the
president, smiling. and it's possibly
improved my appearance"
Beside the president, as he sat in
his wheel chair and converscd with
the men were Mrs. Wilson, Rear Ad-
mirat Cary T. Grarson, the presidents
personal physician and Joseph T.
Tumulsy the preSfdesrt'g secretary
Mr.. shea Was the spokesman for the
delegation and he-+~Aste.i ffttie ~tfrr4e
in getting down to brass lacks He
told the President of the negotiations
the brotherhoods had on with Walter
y. Hines. director general of railroads
and their conclusion. He sketched
rapidly the struggles of the workers
10 meet the present living costs on
their present salaries and en1phasize.
the necessities of increases Several
times the President interrupted with ::
question and the entire conversation
was carried on with great cord ality
on both sides
DELIVERS PROPOSALS
When the men concluded. the Fres-
ioent handed Mr.. Shea his proposal and
asked THAT they consider it, They inn
nediately left the White House and
went to the headquarters of the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor
None of the labor men. nor any Of
The officials of the White House would
discuss the Presidents proposal The
tree representatives of the employees
rttired behind locked doors when they
reached the federation's headquarters
ard declared that no Statement would
ne made until they had come to a dc
clsson on the Presidents proposal. II
was said that they did not
reach decision before tomorrow and
then the Presidents proposal will RIO
nc made public until after they return
TO the White House to let him know
their answer.
Inc President has been in posses
sion of lengthy report from Mr. Hines
on the general railroad situation and
ms reasons for rejecting the demands
of the men.
MI. Hines is understood TO have ar
rived At his position only because Of
IN" limited period remaining in which
the roads will be under federal con-
erol He is reported TO have suggest
ed to the President that demands fo-
increases wait over until passage of
the railroad bill. which contains pro-
vision for the creation of a wage al
5ustment board
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