The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-04-02
R. R. WAGE issue
BEFORE WILSON
Controversy Submitted to the
President for Third Time
Since Last Summer.
M EN- DISAPP POINTED
At Executives Stand--Union
Membership Becoming Res
tive, Jewell Declares,

Washington, April 2.~-(A. P)--
The whole railroad wage contro-
versy was placed before President
Wilson today for the third time since
railroad labor filed it's demands for
a general increase in wages last
summer
In a letter 10 the president r. NJ.
Jewell, chairman OF the railway com
mittee, which constitutes the labor
party on the railroad wage board,
said he regretted very much ito ad-
wise YOU OF cur failure to obtain any
beneficial results from these confer
onces."
The employees, Mr.. Jewell said.
were keenly disappointed at the po-
sitiun taken by the railway exec
utives committee, which announced
last night "a deadlock and the with
drawal of the railroad members from
the conference.
Mr.. Jewell did not ask the presi-
dent to lay the wage controversy be-
fore the railway labor board. which
Is TO be nominated by the presi-
dent, as provided in the transportn-
tion act. and on which the public
will have representation.
correspondence setting forth the at
titude OF the men and the executives'
committee. II. Il. Whittier for the
railway executives. wrote that while
an agreement as 20 wages might be
reached by direct negotiation be-
tween representatives of the roads
and the men, the executives did mol
believe congress- contemplated set
Aiesnont involving n .great 40 addl.
8tion ~ tfrnepnrtauYn nosts without
the public bclnK represented IN the
conferences.
Replying TO this letter Mr.. Jewell
said be believed the reason given by
the managers for terminating the
negotiations was mot In accord with
our understanding OF the law"
THE attitude OF your committee
In falling 10 carry out the wishes OF
the president OF the United States
comes MS n surprise 20 us" Mi. Jew
ell wrote 10 Mr. Whittier, 1T viii re-
suit In keen disappointment to our
constituents as well as the general
public both of whom are parties at
interest and entitled 10 more consld-
oration from the bipartisan board
than you have elected to give,
we unuFfFIHIlu iEOlit NtitH AitAA
your committeo has definitely de-
cllned to assume the responsibility
and perform tho duty which is so
clearly desired In the public inter-
est. and which the transportation
act, ms we understand It. contem-
plates; that OF agreeing In confer
once upon rntcs OF pay for railroad
employees which are just and rcu-
sonable."
Union oficials reiterated that at
the request of the president, they
were going along to give the trans
portation act fair trial, although
they did not indorse any Of It's pro-
visions. They took the position that
with the breaking M OF the JOINT
conference, the whole wage matter
was mude more difficult since the
union membership was becoming
restive.
Beneficial Reauits.
Railroad union executives this after
non ontined President Wilson that the
conforcneeH Of tho bipartisan wage
board had fnlled OF beneficial results.
and the attitude Of the carrtera forced
the railroad workers to appeal To the
labor board the members of which
have not set been appointed. They
charge the carriers with fun reanonst
hllty for the failure OF the bipartisan
hoard aud declined FOR the present 10
join wuh them IN the appointment Of
committees TO prepare data for the pre-
sentation 10 the labor board.