The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1920-03-03
RAILROAD UNIONS TRY
TO SETTLE DISPUTE:
Labor Leaders Agree to Cooperate
81 With the Government and
Railroad Executives
PROPOSE TO GIVE
NEW LAW A TRIAL
President Wilson Urges Prompt Ac-
ton That Negotiations
May Not Be Delayed.

were taken today toward settlement
of the railroad wage controversy
which has been pending since last Au-
y gust. Representatives of railroad
IS workers, with the exception of one
group, agreed to cooperate with the
government and the railroads in Civ
ing trial of the new Transportation
Act, with it's arbitration clauses, and
President Wilson in letters to both
y the Association of Railway Executives
and heads of the fifteen workers. or
ganizations, requested that they Sc
lect representatives to sit on the BIZ
partisan wage board. Prompt action
was urged by the President in order
that the negotiations between employ
er and employe might not longer be
delayed.
The one group of workers which
has not entered into the agreement
Sto go along with the President" was
the Brotherhood Of Maintenance of
Way and Shop Laborers, which re-
Gently withdrew from the conferences
between union heads and the railroad
administration. Committeeman from
the locals of the Maintenance Union,
however, will meet in Chicago Thurs
day and, it was believed would fol-
low the lead of the other workers in
compliance with Mr.. Wilson's re-
quest.
Will Give Law Trial.
In statement tonight explaining
t&heir position the union spokesmen de-
clared that while they could not APP
prove of the proposition, they had
agreed to aid in giving the law a
trial "in the interest Of railroad la
Dor" and cas- American citizens"
H Notwithstanding the fac that labor
in general, and railroad labor in par
ticular, with the full cooperation and
support of other bodies representing
American citizens, urged the Congress
not to pass the railroad bill, and the
President to veto it and return it to
Congress-" the union statement said,
I'VE are now officially advised that I'll I'll
Ffesident has signed the bill and it
is now the law.
"Labors criticisms a7a protests
against the legislation are a matter
of record and were presented to the
'is Go"sTc' the preSiaens Pre- anan9 and the pub
|%P regard to this legislation and,
therefore, do not endorse the law;
hoT"yer, as American citizens, we feel
that lin the interest of railroad labor,
there is nothing left for us to do at
present except to cooperate in the
r9ompt creation Of the machinery pre-
vided Cor in the law.
Will Convene Thursday.
in the case Of the Brotherhood of
Maintenance Of Way Employees and
Shop Laborers, this organization has
not had duly authorized representa-
tives in this last conference. There
fore, in compliance with their consti-
tuition, it was necessary to convene
Asuch representatives, which they will
}Sdo in Chicago Thursday, March a."
The President in his letters said he
had turned over direction Of the pre-
liminary wage negotiations to Director
General Hines, who was entrusted
' with details Of the winding up of
government control by the President
: in his proclamation turning back the
roads. Both the railroad executive
and the union heads were asked to
notify the director general Of their
Representatives on the board, and were
Informed that Mr.. Hines would ar
rance for the first meeting, at which
will be determined all questions Of
5 procedure.
Agreement Of the unions to give the
law thorough trial was regarded as
making remote prospects Of strike.
Certain groups Of the union member
shins, however, were kcenly disap-
pointed, and may yet assert their dis
b apnroval Of and opposition to the law
8 by strike votes. but this possibility
4 was expected to be eliminated when
gull explanation of the leaders, action
\ Is received bv the rank and file Of the
MORE than 100000 workers.