New-York tribune., 1920-02-12
Hines Refers
Rail Demands
To President
Continued from page 1

Federal government to make good the
pledge made by the President in his
letter of last August as understood by
labor.
II expect to get the written answer
of the director general to the train
mems request at the next conference
with him, after which the special COM
mittee of twenty officers and general
chairmen authorized by the interna-
tional convention of the brotherhood
to handle the subject will take final
action relative to its disposition"
Mr.. Lee said further that reports
Of a general strike being called before
final decision on the wage demands is
made were "absurd," and declared that
the only railroad employees who may
strike now are the 100000 members of
the Maintenance of Way Union.
Knows of No Ultimatum
"We have always conducted our af-
fairs decently," said Mr.. Lee, "and we
will continue to do so. Any reports
OF immediate strike emanatng from
any source except from Detroit, the
headquarters of the maintenance of
way organization, of which know
nothing, are absurd AS far as my own
case is concerned, l have never deliv-
cred an ultimatum to the Director
Genera! of Railroads, nor do l know
of any other organizations which
have"
Mr.. Lees statement was regarded as
representing the views of the officers
OF the other three of the "Big Four"
railroad brotherhoods.
Events leading up to the disagree
ment between the conferees came rap
idly. During the course of the day Mr.
Hines conferred with Attorney General
Palmer, acquainting him with details
Of the controversy. The meeting was
not to be construed as indicating ACTION
by the Department of Justice, however,
Mr.. Palmer declared The Attorney
tion was contemplated under the Lever
act in event of strike, saving that
the department did not know "where,
when or how" action would be needed,
if any we're necessary at all.
Following his conference with Mr..
Palmer the director general met all
members of the union delegation, with
the exception of repre- esentatives Of the
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way
employees, who have called strike
Tor February II. This meeting lasted
two hours, at the conclusion Of which
Mr.. Hines met with the members of
his staff relative to the railroad ad-
ministration's next move. The union
leaders, who at yesterdays session had
presented second epitome of their
views, also held separate conference,
at which it was definitely determined
to close their case.
B. M. Jewell, acting president of the
railway employees department of the
to Mr.. Hines notice that the union Of
fcials had no further proposals to
make and could offer nothing in am
plification of the arguments already
presented.
Jewell also told the Director General
the employees representatives believed
that the controversy should go to the
at the request of Mr.. Wilson that the
original demands had been held in
allegiance. Intimation also was given
that since it was the sentiment of the
union men to employ all methods pos
sible for an amicable settlement, they
believe a review of the case by the
President might provide means for
further negotiations should they be
necessary
his desk late tonight preparing the
Admins tration's side Of the argument
some of which had been presented YER
bally during to-day session. All ma
terial having q bearing on the contro-
versy was expected to be sent to the
White House as soon as compiled.
During the conferences with the
other union leaders Mr.. Hines was un-
able to meet to-day the committee rep
resenting the maintenance of way en-
ployees, headed by j. B. Mallov, vice
president of the organization. The
committee reached Washington to day
from Detroit after attending the con-
vention there of committee charmen
who issued a call for strike on Feb
ruary II. An appointment was made
for the committee to see Mr.. Hines to-
morrow.