The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-02-11
CONFER ON WAY
TOHALT STRIKE
Departmental Justice COnsults
Railroad Administration
on Subject.
TRAINMEN CANCEL RULE
Illness Reply Delayed, but In
Sistence on Thirty Day
Notice Likely.
rRAINMEN CANCEL RULE

Special 10 The Sun AND NEW YohK HERALD
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-Administra
ton leaders have become disturbed
over the threatening turn taken In me-
gotiations between the Railroad Ad-
ministration and representatives OF
100000 railroad workers
The Department of Justice was
brought into conferences between
Railroad Administration officials and
the White House this afternoon. and
this lent color to reports that the in
junction powers OF the Government
again might be brought into play to
halt a strike regarded as illegal and
as menace to the public safety and
welfare. The Lever act, which for
bids any agreement TO interfere with
the production or distribution of ne
cessities, still is in effect. President
Barker in a statement given out in
Detroit, however, took pains to point
out that the Union had considered the
possibilities Of injunctlve action and
discounted them.
White House Also Consulted.
The nature of the conference be-
tween the Department Of Justice offi-
cials and those Of the Railroad Ad-
ministration was not made known.
Following It, however, the White
House was communicated with and
another conference between Director
General Hines and Secretary Tumulty
was held tonight, MIR. Tumuity has
transmitted Mrs Hinss's views re-
ports and recomrnefdatlcns 70 the
President.
The answer Of nIr. Hines 10 the gen
eral wage demands was to have been
made to-day. but It was delayed at the
specific request OF the twenty-three
union officlals who have been in confer
ence with the Director-General every
day for more than a week. They asked
postponement until tomorrow because
they had not yet completed final Drlei
covering their demands and the matters
in dispute. Until this is received ana
considered no definite answer VIII De
given.
TTninmen May strike Too.
Another phase Of the situation Is
hint contained in a despatch from Cieve-
land, made public tonight. stating that
the Trainmens Union have abrogated
the agreement that thirty day notice
must be served before cancellation of
their arrangement with the Railroad
Administration. President w. g. Lee OF
the trainmen, under date OF January 25
autographed Director-General Hines In
part:
General order No. Is, executed dur
ing the war as a war measure, has now
been continued more than year after
the close of the war, and the pressure
coming to me from train and yard men
the country to press the
wage demands presented last July TO
favorable conclusion compels me to give
orTioial notice to you as Of January ~
mat on and after February q the broth
erhood must be considered as having
withdrawn from or severed Its connec-
tion with any and all OF the provisions
Of General Order No. IL,
should the trainmen join the main
terranco Of way In strike the situation
would be seriously complicated.
Mr., Hines has not been served with
offlcial notice Of the calling Of a strike
for February II by the Maintenance OF
Way Employees, but has wired for In
formation as to the sending out OF
rail. He Is prepared to insist on the
thirty day notice embodied In the labor
agreements between the men and the
Railroad Administration.