Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-13
WILSON HANDS REPLY
TO RAILMEN OFFICIALS
JUST WHAT HE
SAID ON WAGE
ISSUE HELD UP,
Indications Are He Did Not
Comply With All Demands
of Union Officials.
OFFERS A PROPOSITION

or Union OffIcIaIS.
OFFERS A PROPOSITION
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-PresS.
dent Wilson, today, handed written
statement constituting his reply in
the railroad wage controversy to a
committee of three union leaders
headed by B. NJ. Jewell of the Amer.
lean Federation of Labor railway de.
partment
1t was the pre- dents final decision
on the demands OF railroad workers fo1
increased pay.
This policy IS based on justice to all
interests and IS unalterable," declared
the president in closing his conference
with the three representatives Of the
railroad workers, after rendering his de-
cision.
The presidents decision, which also
involved a proposition, will not be made
public until the workers have rendered
a reply. They will meet Immediately to
frame their answer.
OFFERS WAY TO
CUT H. C. OF L.
The president suggested several ave.
nues Of relief from high living costs. IL
is understood. He outlined the machine
cry which viii he established by legisIa-
ton now pending in congress for ths
adjustment of wages and, it is under
stood. that his proposition In part asks
that the workers give this proposed ma
chinery an opportunity to get into ac-
ton.
There was little doubt expressed but
what the president had sustained Di-
rector General Hines rejection of the
wage demands but he had softened this
decision by offering numerous sugges-
tions that contain relief.
The president is understood to have
supported the position which Director
General Hines took that the government
could not. increase the wages of railroad
workers when the railroads are to be
returned to their private owners within
comparatively short period.
UNION OFFICIALS
VERY SERIOUS.
The representatives Of the workers
were very serious when they left the
conference, but were apparently satisfied
with having dealt with the president
himself in the matter They gave no
intimation as to whether or not they
were satisfied with what the presidents
had told them.
Labor leaders here declared that tho
railroad workers will have to decide now
whether they will stand by the presi-
dent, as they have been urged to do by
their leaders. It was common belief here
that the workers would accede to the
presidents decision and would take no
strike action while the railroads are IN
der government control. An immediate
movement for increased wages viii begin
with the return of the roads to private
control, it was learned.
STATEMENT BY
SECRETARY TUaTUITY,
THE president gave to the men de-
cision, which also involved a proposi.
ton" Secretary Tumulty said. "This
decision viii not be given out to the
press until after the men have given
their answer. because the whftebouse
does not wish to embarrass the men In
the consideration Of the decision ana
proposition"
Eve shall give careful consideration
to the presidents staten mt and advise
him of our position later, probably by
letter" said President Timothy Shea Of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen, a member of the com.
mittee.
The union leaders refused to say
whether the president had granted them
the increase they asked. There were in
dications, however, that the president
refused to grant their complete demands
for horizontal increase of approximate
ly 40 per cent for two million workers.
The conference between the president
and the representatives of the workers
lasted less than ten minutes.
Timothy Shea. spokesman for the
workers declared that they would con-
slider what the president had said ana
might later make q statement
HOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH GONIPERS.
Jewell engaged in a conference with
Samuel Gompers at the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor building at noon. Later
Mr.. Gompers arranged to attend the
meeting of the brotherhood officials.
Gompers attitude, it is understood has
teen that the brotherhood should moi act
hastily in any matter and should take
cool, deliberate action.
The proposed strike of the malntenance
Of way employees Of the railroads viii BE-
fought by the building trades depart.
ment Of the American Federation Of
Labor, according to announcement this
afternoon by John Donlin. head OF that
department.
Donlin announced he would issue or.
ders to all building trades workers To
remain at their work in railroad Yards
and he further stated that members OF
the trades will be ordered to replace the
maintenance Of way men. wherever there
is unemployment Of building trades men.
There has been a long dispute as to
jurisdiction between the maintenance OF
way organization and the building trades
of the American Federation of Labor.
Donlin maintains that the maintenance
Of way organization has ordered men on
strike that it has no jurisdiction over
The president read his decision to tho
three men and the conference was ended
without any further discussion
WILSON SITS IN
WHEEL CHAIR.
The weather was rather inclement and
early showers had dampened the white
house grounds. At first it was proposed
that the conference be held in the green
room of the wbitehouse but the clouds
disappeared for a brief time and the
president asked to be rolled into the
whitehouse grounds in a wheel chair. He
sat in the wheel chair on the walk be-
tween the whitehouse and the executive
offices during the conference, protected
from the winds By she executives e6seS
bu1Idingl