The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-12
Headquarters Are Being Opened
in Fifteen Cities.
Only Agreement With President
Can Stop Strike.
ORDER MUST COME SATURDAY
Wilson Arranges Conference
With Chiefs Tomorrow.
Hines Puts Entire Matter Into
Presidents Hands.

Detroit Feb. 12.-Strike headquar-
ters were to be opened in fifteen cities
today by divisional officers of the
brotherhood of Maintenance of WAY
employees and railway shop laborers.
from which the nation wide strike
called for February Ia will be directed
Final preparations have been made
union officials here declared. and only
an agreement between representatives
OF the men in Washington and Presi-
dent Wilson. they say will avert tha
waikout. If such agreement is reached.
II was said, it must come before Sat
ufday night or the strike order cannot
tive.
VIII See Wilson Tomorrow.
washington, Feb. 12.-President
wilson will have a personal confer
ence tomorrow with three representa-
LVes OF the railroad brotherhoods To
dlscuss the wage demands of the two
million railroad employees which are TO
De re1erred to him today by Director
General Hines
In making the announcement. Sec
retary Tumulty said it had not been
declded which of the brotherhood rem
resentatIVes would be invited to the
Whlte rouse. This, he added, will be
| left to Mr.. Hines
can Federation of Labor railway de-
partment. today was named chairman
OF the committee of three to meet
President Wilson
Other members are !. e. Manion,
OF the railway telegraphers and Timo-
thy Shea, head of the firemen and en-
ginemen
The union leaders will see the presj-
qent on the south lawn at the While
house. where Mr.. Wilson spends a
poreion tS, or each morning. Before
meeting the brotherhood officials the
president will study in detail the re-
port on the wage negotiations which
Mr.. Hines will submit thru Secretary
Tumulty. The director general was
i IN conference with Mr.. TumuIty this
morning and then returned to his Of
| rice to complete his memorandum for
the president. who will be asked 10
/ make the final decision on the de-
mands presented by the railroad
workers nearly a year ago.
| situation Grave One.
! Mr. Illness memorandum, which
was sent to the White House shortly
I before noon, was understood to have
embodied the claims and arguments
I OF the union officials with whom he
mas been comforting since February
Railroad administration officials and
union representatives apparently were
inclined to regard the situation as
quiescent. White House officials ex-
pressed concern at the gravity of the
problems presented without disclos-
| ing what these questions were IL was
declared the general public did not
/ realize the serious nature of the issues
/ involved
| Union Officials with the exception
! of maintenance of way employees and
the Brotherhood of Railway Train
| men. apparently were willing to leave
| the case in the hands of the president .
i Altho there was dissatisfa ction because
! living costs had not been reduced il
was evident the union men felt an
/ other opportunity should be given for
adjustment of the differences which
have been held in abeyance at the
I presidents request since they were
submitted last July
! Mr.. Hines has made a tentative ID
( pointment for this afternoon with J.
! u. Malloy, vice president Of the
Brotherhood of maintenance of way
employees and shop laborers and his
: committee of ten, to discuss the or
| ganizations alleged grievances which
! led to its call for a strike next Tues
! day. Administration officials were
! engaged today in resurrecting all
claims submitted by this group Of
workers before its wage agreement
was signed last November 20.
/ Without Contract Now.
! The agreement shows it became ef-
! fective December s and federal Off
cials say they have not been for
mally notified of an abrogation of the
Confined on Page Two.i
| -e