New-York tribune., 1920-03-03
Expect Roads to Accept


Referring to the fact that, when
the demands Of the railroad workers
for further increases in pay were
made to the railroad administration
last August he had asked the men
to hold these demands in allegiance
pending the outcome of the govern
nlents efforts to regulate the cost,
Of living, Mr.. Wilson in his letter to
the railroad executives to-day urged
that consideration of these demands
be no longer delayed. ~.
al then anticipated" he said, "and so
stated, that the time for determining
whether or not the level of the cost of
living was such as to be the basis of
permanent readjustment of wages
might not arrive until after the ex-
piration of Federal control, and l gave
MY assurance to the railroad employees
that in that event I would continue to
use the influence of the Executive to
see that justice was done them"
Officials of the government are con-
hdent that both sides will accept the
proposition. although up to late hour
tonight Walker Hines, former Director
General of Railroads, to whom the
President asked that the responses be
sent, had heard nothing from either
side At conference a week ago with
tiyes, who had been advised of what
The President would ask, virtually
agreed to accept the suggestion, the
theory being that the direct negotia-
tions would tend to clear the way for
s~hnal decision by the permanent tri-
ounal to be established unSar the law.
Regulations for the permanent machin-
sry are being prepared by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission.
Accept "as Good Citizens"
The Presidents remarks on the cost
OF living in his letter to the railroad
presidents is Of particular interest in
view OF the assertions previously made
BY the labor leaders that unless the
government succeeded in bringing down
prices they would insist on further pay
increases or strike.
Io-night's announcement by the
unions was subscribed to by all the
'on Of the Brotherhood of Maintenance
OF Way Employees, who are in session
Cleveland to determine their course
Independently. Representatives of a
majority Of the unions have been in
session here almost continuously since
me President refused to veto the rail-
toad bill, the labor provisions Of which
uey had found Objectionable. The
prospect that they might refuse to
submit their claims to the labor boards
called for in the measure had aroused
considerable concern; consequently the
announcement tonight was received by
officials with qualification.
While it declares that the unions are
,,s!l opposed in principle to the legis-
aaslon, the announcement states that
rs good American citizens" the men
VIII sgre@ to cooperate.
inc Presidents letter to the railway
cs Seads was addressed to T. De Witt
euyier, New York, chairman of the AS
soclation of Railway Executives, with
= request that it's purport be conveyed
~ - the officials of all the companies
throughout the United States The
sSSmmunication to the union heads was
saoressed ai, to the chiefs Of the railroad
ssasUUsnerhoods and to the heads Of the
!!a'lway unions. affiliated with the Amer
*sn Federation Of Labor.
le.-er to Railroad Executives.
W. me ilrst Of the letters read:
40 y: De Witt Cuyler, chairman, Asso-
sst'on OF Railway Executives.
year Sir: On the 25th of last Au-
suss s ! publicly announced the eonvic-
s. sSh that a permanent readjustment in
~ Ss{oad wages ought to be made upor
~ ossis OF the level of the cost of ,iv-
;s ,nen prevailing, II that cost of liv
sss s 'evei were to be merely temporary
ssaI counseled railroad employees t.
va sheir demands in abeyance unit
- time should arrive when it coult
i.s0nabiy be determined whether tha
~ ~. q the cost of living was tempo
~ es not. ! then anticipated, and 8,
cxo. that the time for determinin,
H.ssaer or not the level of the cost o
Mg was such as to be the basis of
msasnsnt readjustment of wage,
8sas not arrive until after the expira
~. ~ o1 Federal control, and / gave m,
Nssrance to the railroad employee
- N that event / would continue /
Continued on page sevem