Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-02-14
RAILWAY MEMS
WAGE DEMANDS
BEQUEATHED To
PRIVATE OWNERS
Negotiations For an Increase.
In Pay Practically Are.
Suspended Until After
March |, Announcement,
HINES SENDS LETTER
TO MAINTENANCE MEN
It Is Hinted He Informed
Them They Could Expect
Nothing Further in the
Way of Increase Now.

tBY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wIREl
Washington, Feb, 12.-Negotia-
tions of the union railroad em-
ployes for an increase in pay prac-
tically were suspended tonight until
the rail properties again are in the
hands of their owners. There re-
manned as a finale only the pre-
sentation to President Wilson of
the union reply to his statement,
given them earlier in the day, and
this likely will be sent to the
White House tomorrow morning.
Union officials conferred for six
hours on the presidents statement
but they steadfastly refused to dt-
vulge its contents on which White
House officials likewise maintained
absolute silence. Nor would the
union chiefs give any information
as to their reply.
Director General Hines con-
ferred briefly late today with W. G.,
Lee, president of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen. and a COM
mittee from his organization. This
conference, so far as the railroad
administration is concerned, was
said to conclude the efseries of meet
ings on the wage question.
Mr.. Hines late today sent a let
ter to the brotherhood of Mainte-
nance of Way Employees, restating
his attitude toward that groups
scheduled strike. He did not make
public the nature of his communi-
cation but it was hinted he in
formed the maintenance of way
workers they could expect nothing
further in the way of wage IN
creases from the railroad admins
tration. Members of the commit
tee which has been representing the
maintenance employees, however,
denied this but declared there had
been no decision to call off the
strike which has been set for Tues
day. ..-
After Mr.. Hines had given the
administration final word to Mr..
Lees organization, the trainmens $
announced he regarded
the White House decision 'as bind
ing on our union as well as the 9TH
ers." Although Mr. Lee declined to
discuss the next move he would
make it was understood he would
not break from the other organlZa-
tions. 1t was Indicated also that he
would permit the wage agreement
notice of abrogation of which was
given for February %, to remain
in effect until the termination OF
federal control.
The general attitude of the
union officials, after being made
acquainted with the presidents
statement, in a conference on the
south lawn of the White House,
was plainly one of disappointment,
Some of them We're openly dissat-
isfied but the more conservative
leaders urged that they bide their
time in the hope of success along
other lines.
Whether this attitude was proof
that the president had flatly denied
the requests for increases or was
an indication that he had submit
ted an unsatisfactory counter-pro-
posal, was the subject of differences
of opinion among the union lead
ers who were not made acquainted
with the presidents reply. Many of
them had believed, it was stated,
that q compromise would be Of
fered by the president, but there
was growing belief that the White
House decision had been strictly in
accord with recommendations sub
mitted by Mr.. Hines.
1t was understood Mr.. Hines had
told the president that the railroad
earnings were insufficient to take
care of q new pay raise.