New-York tribune., 1920-02-24
Conferences Hear
More Strike Talk
Dissatisf faction Il m,ong
Rail Workers Worries
Committees Chairn1en

WASHINGTON, Feb. %. Railroad
things are going with respect to it's
wage demands. This was indicated in
unmistakable manner in conferences
here to-day of union officials and gen.
eral committeeman, called to pass on
the Presidents settlement proposal
Passage of the railroad bill by the Sem
ate tonight only served to add more
bitterness to the talk Of the union
workers.
Arrival of scores Of committee chair
men-the union leaders closest to the
rank and file of their membership
brought out strike talk. The higher of
fcers were inclined to discount this
evidence of the workers. feeling, but
hotel lobbies where the delegates were
quartered buzzed with the possibilities
of the situation. There were indications
that the union heads who have dealt
with Director General Hines in the con-
troversy were worried lest all that has
been accomplished might be wrecked.
Committee chairmen spoke frankly of
the sentiment in the local groups,
describing it thus:
Optimism Not Warranted
"Ther temper is not such as to war
want us being optimistic"
l. Union spokesmen believed there was
no other way to avoid direct appeal
to the President to veto the Cummins-
Esch measure. They declared it must be
done to satisfy the workers who have
not had "closeup" of the situation
But as to hope that the legislation
might yet be kicked overheard, there
was little expression. Labor's appeal to
Congress, having been rebuffcd, some
leaders were said to have assumed the
attitude that the legislators were "try-
ing to see how far they can go by nag
ging us"
Heated discussions marked all of the
conferences Of the fifteen organiza-
tlons which met separately. None was
able to finish examination of the docu-
ments which were transmitted between
the union officials, the Director General
and the White House, as delegates
continued to insist on assaiing "the
unfairness with which Congress and
the government generally has dealt
with u.s." The Presidents proposal is
by no means sure OF acceptance by the
unions. 1t drew attack from various
angles, according to information which
leaked out of the secret meetings.
Walk-Out Deemed Inadvisable
pressed by several influential union
officers, was that the railroad organi-
zatlons have reason to assert their
strength through a walk out, but it was
deemed inadvisable, by them at least,
to carry out such a program now. Put
ting it frankly, one leader declared
that the action of the Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employees and
shop Laborers in issuing the recent
strike call had hurt the workers. cause
materially. He characterized that sort
OF thing as "damning us in the eyes
Of the people whom we must have as
our friends-those who really have no
direct interest except as they desire to
see fair play"
Leaders were conf dent of their power
to call strike which would success
| fully tie up all means of transporta-
ton, but their attitude was that peace
able means should be employed if
possible. Those who sat through the
discussions with Director General Hines
were especially desirous OF negotiating
as long as there was hope Of success.
No Action for Several Days
Because of the dissatisfaction which
permeatcd all Of the meetings, most
of the individual organizations prob
ably will not complete formulation of
their views of the settlement proposal
for several days.
The union officials who conducted the
negotiations with Mr.. Hines were
called together tonight. but the nature
of the conference was not revealed 1t
was said, however, that they took up
consideration of the railroad legisla-
tlon which the Senate had acted on
only few hours before.
f