Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1920-02-20
BY EDWARD w. PICKARD,

Director General Hines and the
heads of the railway unions failed to
reach an agreement as to wages, and
the whole matter was passed on to
President Wilson for his decision of
the final attitude of the government.
The possibility of a general railway
strike and consequent paralysis of in
dustry doomed big. despite the asser-
ZION of the leaders of the four brother
hoods that no such move was being
considered yet.
Mr.. Hines, after many days of con-
ference with the labor chiefs. came
TO the conclusion that. though the
workers may be entitled to more pay
under existing living conditions. it is
economically impossible for the rail-
way administration to grant the in
creaSes in view of the fact that feder-
81 control comes 30 an end on March
1. 1t was believed in Washington
that the president would sustain Mr.
Hines and appeal TO the railway I'M
ions to submit their demands TO the
wage adjustment boards provided for
in the pending railway legislation. The
unions, however, do not seem to have
any faith in such tribunals, and feel
that they will have no chance after
the roads have been returned to
private ownership.
Everyone concerned in the matter
directly feels that the union chiefs
have been very courteous and have
shown q genuine desire TO avoid seri-
ouss trouble 1t is to be expected that
SOME strikes will follow if the presi-
debt decides against the workers, but
there has been no threat of general
) strike. One such strike already has
befn ordered. The maintenance of
way employees and shop laborers have
be}h directed to quit work on Febru-
arN IT, Their president, Allen c.
Barker, said. however, that the sub
mission OF the controversy to Presi
dent Wilson might avert this, as it was
at/Afr. Wilson's request that the strike
plans made last August were held in
,faheyance while the government tried
TO lower the cost of living. Since it
mainly failed i'm this. said Mr.. Barker.
he felt Mr. Wilson would afford the
men the relief they had asked. This
may be SO, but official statistics do
not bear out the claims of the main
tenance of way workers. Since 1913
their wages have increased on the av-
s.srage log per cent, while the cost of
& in the same time has gone up
er cent. 1t is not surprising, how
har the workers should join in
neral grahfest. Since the war
there has been no greater prof
than organized labor. but the
list. big and small, set the ex-
and led the way.
Kansas the maintenance of way
n have been officially warned that
their contemplated strike will be in
violation of that states new indus
trial court law.
The congressional conference COM
mittee fixed up clever compromise
railway legislation bill and its speedy
acceptance was predicted. But for
midable oppositfos developed. Repre-
sentatives Barley ut Kentucky and
Sims of Tennessee. goth Democratic
members of the colfsrAace refused
IN sign the report and annouH
wouId fight the measure. Bari
iects to the provision for .
cent return on earnings with an
division of excess earnings over
cent between the roads and a COVE
meut fund for the benefit of the weak
er lines. Sims makes his hght espeeia'.
ly against the rate-making provision