The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-02-11

statement Of claims.
TWO strikes Threatsned.
Meanwhile W. g. Lee. president OF
tho Brotherhood OF Railroad Trainmen.
was pressing Mr. Hines for an answer
TO the demands or his Individual or
Eanization and insisting the trainmen
were ready to STRIKE unless sattsfac-
tory settlement was reached. RalIroad
administration officials also received
Informal notice that they must contend
with a strike called ny the Brotherhood
OF Maintenance OF Way Employees and
Shop L8horers.
Further than admitting that he had
given the railroad administration the
required thirty days notice OF intention
10 cancel the present wage contract on
February 23 Mr.. Lee declined TO dis
cusS the plans OF his organization. Tho
strike vote taken under hts instructions
was said to show large majority or
the trainmen favorable 10 strike
T1s-up would Result.
This last phase Of the situation was
giving railroad administration officials
concern. because. should the trainmen
walk out an almost complete tie-up or
traffic would be the only result. Tho
thousands OF engineers firemen and
conductors could not operate the trains
for In many states they would be for
bidden 10 work under full crew" laws
unless all trainmen we're on duty. II
was explained that union bylaws also
prohibit other employees from taking out
trains not manned by the regulation
number OF brakemen.
Officials OF the other three train op-
Grating unions were declared not 70 be
supporting Mr.. Lee aggressively In his
demands although he was said TO have
communicated with each OF them before
notifying Mr.. Hines OF his intention to
cancel the wage agreement. The COM
munication OF the trainmen's president
was said to have been merely request
for a statement from the other unions
as to their objections. II any. TO the
derstood TO have replied that they had
no objection but declined to commit
themselves as to supporting tho pro-
posed move.
tho Maintenance OF Ways Employees.
was declared again by railroad admin
lstration officials to be In violation or
his y3Ee agreement. II was said Mr..
Barker had signed the agreement only
into effect on December 1s. A search Of
the nles In Mr.. Hines office was de-
clared to have revealed no communica-
tion cancelling the agreement with tho
government. Mr.. Barker and COM
mittee OF ten are expected to reach
washington tomorrow to attend the
conference OF union leaders with hr.
Hines.
Closely Guarded.
Both union leaders and railroad Hd-
ministration officials carefully guarded
the contents Of the latest statement Of
claims and grievances ru"d- NE ep-
Grating employees representatives. II
was declared to be summary OF tho
views Of the union leaders on Mr..
Hines proposals. but whether It held
ascertained.
Union officials were not ready to
make statement as to tho next stop
In event Mr.. Hines refused TO meet their
appeal again to President Wilson who
has been informed OF tho negotiations.
Reports that tho unions had such
step under consideration at this tims
however. were denied consistently by
all. The qualification was made. how
termine the workers future policy.
The union leaders brought up the cost
OF living question again to-day after
since Friday. For the first time. II was
sad. many Of the leaders urged their
colleagues 10 take ftrmer stand and
demand something definite" on this
from the government. They were said
administration to reduce living costs
had not been fulfilled and that this
should be used as additional pressure in
support OF their claims.
Predicts General Walkout-
DETROIT. Mich. Feb. f0.-Failure Of
tho railroad unions and Director Cen
eral Hines to reach an agreement At the
Washington conference may result In
q general walk out OF railway workers.
according to Allen e. Barker. president
OF the Brotherhood OF Maintenance Of
Way Employees and Railroad Shop La
borers. who on Monday called = strike
Of his union for February II
A message received at headquarters
here late to-day. Mr.. Barker stated TO-
night. indicated that heads Of thirteen
Washington. would stand pat and act
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