Republican farmer., 1920-02-20
POLICY OF GOVT BASED ON JUSTICE
 10 ALL INTERESTS
Presidents Decision is a Decision Containing a Proposal Union Men In Conference to Consider Proposition May N o t Stay Strike.

Washington, Feb. 13-An 'unalterable" decision in the railroad wage controversy was made today by President Will son in conference with repre- sentatives of the brotherhoods. The President said the govern ment's policy was based on justice to all interests J
 MT. Shea immediately notified the other union officials who have been conferring with Mir. Hines, advising | them to call a conference to consider 1 the Presidents statement He indi- 1 cated that the conference would con sume most of the day, and might be 1 continued tomorrow. He said the union men were not disposed to act hastily and that they desired to make a complete examination of the Presi- dents statement before reaching a decision.
 The Presidents proposal. whatever it was, was not expected to stay the strike of the maintenance of way em- | ployes called for next Tuesday. | The HreSlu2nJS n6C1S1On was hOL announced at the White House. Off, cials said it was "a decision contain ing a proposal" From this 1t was as- sumed that the President had refus- ed to grant general wage increases, l but had made a counter proposition to the men.
 Secretary Tumulty declined to say whether the President had refused l 1nn 113y fhp crn m 1 that "everyone wants to settle the stril1e,' and that the brotherhood l chiefs should have an opportunity to consider the Presidents suggestion or proposal without outside interference. 1 The Presidents statement that the governments policy was ''based on justice to all interests is in line with the final word presented to the union 1 leaders by Director General Hines al 1 the last conference with them. MT. Hines was understood to have told the men that with the return of the roads to private control under the Vnew railroad bill an impartial tribuna flor consideration of their demands would be created.
 MT. Hines was understood to have suggested to the President that if ar increase in pay were granted the men the roads would seek an increase ir freight rates, which would mean in- creased living costs. This argument was presented to the union leaders or several occasions by the director gen. era1, it was said at the railroad ad' | ministration. Inasmuch as tht unions were pressing strongly for z ireduction in living costs, officials sai6 there was reason to believe that the President had employed this in nj: answer to the union spokesmen.
 When the railroad men greeted tht President they told him he was look ing very well.
 T have just been shaved,' said tn President That helps a bit.'
 The President, sitting in his vince chair in a corner under the porticC , wrapped in a blanket, shook hand with the men when Secretary Tu multy presented them. They stood u,
 throughout the conference with thei
 overcoats on. but their hats in thei
 hands The President pressed then
 to put their hats on because of tn
 dampness but they refused.
 After reading his statement tn
 President asked them to give consid
 eration to his suggestion and the
 promised to do so.
 Detroit, Feb. 13.---Any proposa President Wilson has made to repre q sentatives of the railroad brother hoods in an effort to adjust thei wage demands will receive "earnes
 consideration by officers of the Unit - ed Brotherhood of Maintenance c U Way Employees and Shop Laborer: @ President Allen Barker said today.