The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-03-03
Do NOT LIKE
new LAW BUT
Will TRY IT
Railroad Men Announce They
Are Willing to Appoint
Members of Commission
Will Cooperate as Citizens.
ONE GROUP IS HOSTILE
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, March By the
decision Of railroad labor leaders to
give the new reorganization bill
trial, possibility of general strike of
railway employees is believed to have
been passed for the time at least.
All of the representatives of work
ers, except one group, have agreed to
cooperate with the government and
the railroads in trying out the act
with it's arbitration clauses and Presi-
dent Wilson has requested both the
executives and the labor spokesmen to
appoint representatives for the federal
board.
The action of the employees leaders
was taken in official circles as a defi-
mite movement for the settlement of
the railroad wage controversy which
has been hanging over since last
August.
Maintenance Men to Meet
The one group that is still holding
out is the brotherhood of maintenance
or way employees and shop laborers.
This group has called a meeting Of its
leaders in Chicago Thursday, when its
future course will be decided
In statement explaining their posi-
tion. the union spokesman declared
that while they could not approve of
the transportation act they had
agreed to aid in giving the law trial
lin the interest of railroad labor" and
"as American citizens"
Notwithstanding the fact that labor
in general, and railroad labor in par
icular, with the full cooperation and
support of other bodies representing
American citizens, urged congress not
to pass the railroad bill, and the pres
ident to veto it, and return it to con-
gress," the union statement said, 1--WE
now are advised officially that the
president has signed the bill and that
it is law.
Labor criticism and protests
against the legislation are matters of
record, and were presented to con-
gress, to the president and to the
public.
Views Not Changed.
1--WE have not changed our views
in regard to this legislation, and
therefore do not indorse the law
However, as American citizens, we
feel that, in the interest of railroad
labor, there is nothing for us to do
at present except to cooperate in the
prompt formation of the machinery
provided for in the law.
The president, in his letter, said
that he had turned over direction Of
the preliminary wage negotiations to
Director General Walker D. Hines,
who was intrusted by the president in
his proclamation turning back the
roads, with details of the winding up
of government control.
Asked to Name Representatives
Both the railroad executives and
the union heads were asked to notify
the director general of their rep
resentatives on the board, and were
informed that Mr.. Hines would ar
range for the first meeting. at which
will be determined all questions OF
procedure.
In his letter to the owners the Presi-
dent said:
"Since the railroad companies have
now resumed the operation of their
properties, and since the transporta-
tion act has become law, the way is
open for the immediate handling Of
the wage matter in accordance with
procedure contemplated by that law.
81 believe all will agree that the mat
ter calls for the earliest disposition
and for the most active and earnest
cooperation in order to avoid any de-
lay whatsoever in bringing it to con-
clusion."