Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1920-02-13

I'll. III NOlll Cl CllCC Will
representatives of the
brotherhoods, the Presi-
dent said the govern
ment's policy was biased on justice
to all interests
The Presidents decision was not
announced at the White House Or
hcials said it was "a decision contain
ing a proposal" From this it was as
sumed that the President had refused
to grant general wage increases, but
had made a counter proposition to the
men.
Secretary Tumulty declined to say
whether the President had refused
specifically the wage demands. say
ing that everyone wants to settle
the strike" and that the brotherhood
chiefs should have an opportunity to
consider the Presidents suggestion,
or proposal, without outside interfer-
ence.
The Presidents statement that the
governments policy was based on
Justice. to all interests" is in line
with the final word presented to the
union leaders by director General
Hines at the last conference with
them.
Mr.. Hines was understood to have
told the men that with return OF the
roads to private control under the
new railroad bill an impartial tribunal
for consideration of their demands
would BE created
Mr.. Hines is said to have suggest
ed to the President that if an increase
were granted, the roads would seek
an increase in freight rates, which
would mean increased living cost.
This argument was presented to the
union leaders on several occasions by
Mr.. Hines it was said. Inasmuch as
the unions were pressing strongly
for a reduction in living costs. Off
cials said there was reason to be-
lieve that the President had employ
ed this in his answer to the union
spokesmen.
When the railroad men greeted the
President they told him he was look
ing vel.
HtiNt just bttil NidNNdI Sdltl tHt
President. THAT helps a bit
The President, sitting in his wheel
chair in corner under the portco
wrapped in a blanket. shook hands
with the men when Secretary Tumul-
ty presented them. They stood up
turnout the conference with their
oyercoats on. but with their hats in
their hands.
After reading his statement the
President asked them to give consid-
Grafton to his suggestion and they
promised to do SO. The union men
would not say what the Presidents
proposal was.
The employees will be represented
in the conference by three spokesmen.
Acting President Jewell Of the rail
way employees department. American
Federation of Labor; f.. J. Manion
president OF the Order of Railroad
Photographers, and Timothy Shea, act
ing president of the brotherhood OF
Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
The White House was expected to
issue a statement later in the day.
Meantime there was no intimation
whether the President had offered a
substitute for an increase in wages in
the nature of continuation of the
fight on the high cost of living or
whether he asked the workers to de-
lay pressing their demands until the
railroads We're returned to the private
owners March l.
The Presidents proposal. whatever
it was was not expected to stay the
strike of the maintenance of way en-
pluyes called for next Tuesday.
Mr. Shea Immediately notified the
other union officials who have been
conterring with Mr.. Hines advising
them to call a conference to consider
the Presidents statement. He indi-
.cated that the conference would con
sumo most of the day, and might be
continued tomorrow He said there
was no Disposition on the part OF the
union men to act hastily and that they
desired to make complete eNamina.
ton of the Presidents statement be.
fore reaching a decision.
Washington. Feb. l3.-P, NJ. Jewell
president of the railway department
Of the American Federation OF Labor
announced that the Presidents pro
pusal would have to be "put up to
the men" before any announcement
could be made by the union repre-
,aeutatiyes.
Needs Earnest Consideration"
Eetroit. Mich, Feb, 13.-~Any pro-
prosal President Wilson has made to
representatives of the railroad broth
erhoods in an effort to adjust their