Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-25
unions TO URGE
RAIL BILL VETO
Drop Wage Demands and Will
Ask Disapproval Of
Measure
SIDETRACK WILSON'S PLAN

washington. Feb. Decentralization
OF President Wilson's proposal for set
Element Of railroad employees wage
demands by an impartial tribunal was
sidctrackcd today by union officers 70
give the right of way to a finish hight
one the recently passed railroad reor-
gauization bill.
Request for a veto Of the measure will
be presented to President Wilson, prob
ably tonight. in the form Of memorial
setting forth organized labor's objec-
tions 20 the arbitration feature of the
bill especially. and to the financial
clauses. Failing to gain veto. the
unions plan TO attack the constitution
ality of the law.
Decision to carry the fight to the
White House was taken suddenly mt a
meeting to consider the Presidents pro-
posal, but the latter did not get much
consideration because general commit
teemen represented that their member
ship was restive under what they term
ed "legislaive attacks" on union labor
and would not be satisfied unless the
bill was fought to the last ditch. When
II was decided to ask for executive dis
approval of the measure, many of the
delegates made arrangements 20 return
lone Immediately, leaving the wage
controversy negotiations unfinished.
The unions still have to decide also
whether they will join in selection Of
experts to gather data for considera-
ton by the wage commission created
have expressed unalterable opposition to
such council of arbitration, in which
the public would be represented as we'll
as railroads and employees, some Of their
officers have objected to participating in
choosing the board for fear it would be
taken as acceptance of tho provisions
they deem obnoxious.
The memorial to President Wilson is
being drafted by Il. NJ. Jewell, acting
president of the railway employees de-
partment, American Federation of La :
bor; Z. j. Manion, president Of the
Order Of Railroad Telegraphers, and
Timothy Shea, acting president of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen,
who were the delegation chosen to visit
the White House recently and receive
the Presidents communication in the
wage controversy.
Palmer to Pass on Law
knowledge of the Presidents inten
tion to have A. Mitchell Palmer. attor-
ney general. pass on the validity of the
reorganization measure did not deter
the union leaders from their determined
course Of action. Their claims Of IN :
equity against the legislation were ex
planned to be aside from any question
of the validity of the bill. and they.
therefore, purposed TO carry the oppo-
sition through to the finish.
Decision of the union officials to pre-
sent their views to Mr.. Wilson was
reached suddenly. There had been in .
sistent clamoring for such action by
many Of the local committeeman, called
here to discuss the Presidents wage
settlement proposal. The course was
not decided on, however, II was said
until it appeared no other plan would be
generally accepted by the rank and file
Labor provisions Of the bill admitted
" will be the most bitterly assailed by
the unions. but the plan also contem-
plates attack on the financial sections
which labor holds TO be unfair to the
taxpayers and burden OH the govern
ment." The dividend provision Of the
law also will come in for condemnation,
1t was indicated.