New-York tribune., 1920-02-12
Unions Take Appeal to
Mr.. Wilson After Direc-
tor General Tells Them
AgreernentIsImpossible
Refusal Is Based
On Pending Return
Executive to Say Whether
I1.S.Will Grant Increase
or Transfer Problem to
the Old Owners of Lines

ing to HeaCn an agreement with the
representatives of the more than g.
100000 railroad employees on de-
mands for increased wages, Director
General Hines decided tonight to
submit the whole case to President
Wilson for decision.
The appeal to the President is to be
taken at the request Of union lead
ers after they had conferred with
Mr. Hines for two hours late to-day,
and after he had informed them
there was no hope of an agreement
under present conditions. MIR. Hines
will send to the White House to-mor-
row the statements of the unions to-
gether with his own representation
in the controversy.
The President thus is called on to
determine whether the government
will grant the increased wages or
transfer the wage demand contro
versy to the corporations soon to re-
gain control of their properties.
Final Break Has Not Been Reached
Submission of the claims and argu-
ment to the President while tenn
porarily ending the general negotia,
tons, does not mean a final break,
railroad administration officials ex-
planned. Neither members of Mr..
Illness staff nor the union spokesmen
indicated they felt that a deadlock had
arrived, although the discussions were
ended. Regardless of the Presidents
decision IN tho matter the differences
could be ironed out after return of the
railroads through machinery likely to
ne set up by pending legislation, it
was explained.
4 Mr.. ,.!aes'a refusal to grant the en-
pioyees' demands apparently was based
entirely on the fact that Federal con-
troll soon will cease.
The director general was understood
to have kept this angle consistently
before the union men, together with
the argument that it would be unfair
to the thousands of owners of railroad
stock to increase the expenditures of
their corporations when the govern
ment would be responsible for the
revenues obtained for so brief
period.
Mr.. Hines said the union representa-
tlves had presented their views with
ability and frankness," and that,
while the conferences had not solved
the problems before it, the real issues
involved now were more clearly de-
veioped than at any time since the
wage demands were first presented last
July.
Hines Explains Action
In explanation of his action, the
director general issued the following
statement:
Since February the director gen
eral has had frequent conferences with
the chief executives of the railroad
labor organizations for the purpose OF
oevlsing means for disposing of the
Durlng these conferences the execu-
tlves of the labor organizations have
expressed their views with great
ability and frankness. The director
general has not been able to agree
with them as to how the problem
should be disposed of in view of the
early termination of Federal control,
ahd Is now laying before the President
'ae representations of the executives
VI tne organizations and also his own
ieport Tor the purpose of obtaining
the Presidents decision in the prem
lses
In any event, the conferences have
oeen decidedly helpful in bringing out
clearer development as to the real
issues involved and as to the charac-
ser OF evidence pertinent to those is
sues, and the discussion throughout has
Deen characterized by courtesy as we'll
sS candor and with a sincere purpose
on tne part of all to try to find a
Data To Be Presented To-day
Al the White House late tonight it
mss SAID that Director General Hines
w .oSla present data in the controversy
" secretary Tumulty tomorrow morn
Dig ana that it would be sent to the
resident Immediately.
submission of the matter to the
ttiesldent was in accordance with in
aVfmatlon given out earlier in the day
AZ 9he White House that after making
a decision Mr.. Hines would report to
: sae President. While the director
teaerai was said not ohave made any
s.a. ",a' answer to the union leaders, his
statement of disagreement with their
e.alms could be considered as definite
me separate grievances and claims
VI taa Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men are not included by Mr.. Hines in
w me data to be sent to the White House.
WI; W.; " Lee, president of the trainmen,
MN Miii confer again tomorrow with MIR.
.,l In statement tonight, Mr.. Lee de-
s,sred that the government had not
s;ucceeded in reducing the cost Of liv-
ns Dy the campaign begun last sum-
~" msf and he, therefore, felt he could
sS S longer hold the demands in
Up to Government, Says Lee
nos.f Ihe trainmen," said Lee, "take the
tr;vslsion that more than reasonable
~ e,ine has since elapsed and that the cost
~ y. llying has not been reduced, but in
tt;ssad has been increased, since that
.Nne' and that it is now up to the
Continued on, page three
yWD WL MORNING:
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