Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-14
Suspend Negotiations Until
Roads Are Returned to Pri-
vate 0wnership-WiII Reply
To Wilson Today.
maintenance WORKERS.
STRIKE 0BDER TO STAND
White House and Union Heads
Refuse to DivuIge Presidents
Proposal - No Independent
Strikes to Be Called.

Washington. Feb. Is. - Negotia-
tons of the union railroad employees
for an increase in pay practically
were suspended tonight until the rail
properties are again in the hands of
their owners. There remained as a
finale onl ly the presentation to Presi-
dent 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 di-
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 conferred
briefly late today with w. G.. Lee,
president of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen, and committee
from his organization. This con-
ference so far as the railroad ad-
1ninistration is concerned was said
to conclude the series of meetings on
the wage question.
Strike Order Stands.
Mr.. Hines also late today sent
letter to the Brotherhood Of Main
tcnancc of Way employees restating
his attitude toward that groups
scheduled strike. He did not make
public the nature of his communica-
ton. but it was hinted he had in
formed the maintenance workers
they could expect nothing further in
the way of wage increases from the
railroad administration. Members
of the committee which has been
representing the maintenance en-
ployes, however, denied this, but de-
clared there had been no decision to
call off the strike which has been set
for Tuesday.
After Mr.. Hines had given the ad-
ministration's final word to Mr..
Lees organization, the trainmen
president announced he regarded
the White House decision "as bind
ing on cur union as well as the
others" Although Mr.. Lee declined
to discuss the next move he would
make, it was understood he would
not break from the other organiza-
tons. 1t was indicated also that ne
would permit the wage agreement
notice of abrogation of which was
given for February %. to remain IN
effect until the termination of fed
eral control.
Union Heads Disappointed
The general attitude of the union
officials after being made acquainted
with the presidents statement, i'll
conference on the south lawn of the
White House was plainly one of dis
appointment. Some of them Were
openly dissatisfied but the more con-
servative leaders urged that they
bide their time in the hope of Sue
cess along other lines
Whether this attitude was proof
that the president had fatty denied
the requests for increases or was
an indication he had submitted an
unsatis factory counter proposal was
the subject of differences of opinion
among union leaders who were not
made acquainted with the presidents
reply. Many of them had believed,
it was stated that a compromise
would be offered by the president
but there was a grow ing belief thai
the White House decision had been
strictly in accord with the recon-
mendations submitted by Mr.. Hines.
Earnings Insufficient.
1t was understood Mr.. Hines had
told the president that the railroad
earnings were insufficient to take
care OF new pay raise. The dr.
rector general was said to have in
formed Mr.. Wilson also that the
railroad administration had adopted
policy last fall which ended the
war cycle" of increasing the pay of
lis men and that any further revi-
sion in the wage agreements could
be made only if there was more
revenue provided.
A complete review OF the wage
hearings and a statement of rail
roads fiscal outlook was made part
OF the director generals communica-
ton to the White house.
Many of the union officials were
proposing to leave Washington to-
morrow. Several conferences were
scheduled for early tomorrow but
union officials who were to attend
expected only routine matters to be
F., taken up.
The reply OF the railroad unions
to the president was expected to be
submitted to the White house at III
tomorrow by the committee COM
posed of B. M. Jewell, acting presi-
dent of the railway employees de-
partment of American Federation Of
Labor; E. ]. Manion, president OF
the Order of Railway Telegraphers,
and Timothy Shea, acting president
of the Brotherhood of Firemen and
Enginemep. which saw Ar. Wilson
aodax