The Washington herald., 1920-02-14
RAILWAY MEN
PONDERING ON
WILSON'S FIAT
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
President held a month ago with
Bernard NJ. Baruch, his visit with
the railway men was the first that
he has had with any persons outside
of>his official family since last Sep
tember, when he was taken i'll.
Contains a Decision"
The Presidents views on the rail-
road situation = views which affect
100000 employees who desire wage
increases-were given to the three
men who called upon him in the
form of several typewritten pages.
These were described as a proposal
containing a decision" and the de-
cision is understood to be unalter-
able.
The President met the brother
hoods representatives on the south
portico of the White House. when
they approached him. he greeted
them warmly. and suggested to
them that they replace their hats
because of the dampness Of the air.
The President. according to the
men, looked the picture of robust
health. He wore a sweater, a golf
cap and a dark suit. Mr.. Shea and
his colleagues congratulated the
President on his appearance.
I've just had a shave" replied
the President, smiling. ''and it's
possibly improved my appearance"
Beside the President. as he sat
in his wheel chair and converse
with the men. were Mrs. Wilson,
Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson, the
Presidents personal physician, and
Joseph P. Tumulty, the Presidents
secretary.
Mr.. Shea was the spokesman for
the delegation, and he wasted little
time in getting down to brass
tacks. He told the President of
the negotiations. the brotherhoods
had on with Walker d. Hines, Di-
rector General of Railroads, and
their conclusion. He sketched rap
idly the struggles of the workers S
to meet the present living costs on
their present salaries and empha-
sized the necessity of increases
Several times the President inter
rupted with a question. and the en-
tire conversation was carried OF
with great cordiality by both sides
Refuse All Comment.
When the men concluded. the
President handed Mr.. Shea his pro-
posal, and asked that they consider
it. They Immediately left Tho
| White House and went to the head
| tion of Labor.
None of the labor men. nor any
of the officials of the White House
would discuss the Presidents pro-
posal. The three representatives OF
| the employees retired behind locked
doors when they reached the fed
eration's headquarters, and declared
/ that no statement would be made
until they had come to a decision
/ on the Presidents proposal. 1t was
/ said that they did not expect to
reach a decision before today and
then the Presidents proposal will
not be made public until after they
return to the White House to LET
him know their answer.
Tho President has been in pos
session of a lengthy report from
Mr.. Hines on the general railroad
situation, and his reasons for re-
jecting the demands of the men,
Mr.. Hines is understood to have ar
rived at his position only because
of the limited period remaining in
which the roads will be under Fed
eral control. He is reported to have
suggested to the President that de-
mands for increases wait over un-
til the passage of the railroad
bill. which contains a provision for
the creation of a wage adjustment
board.