The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-14
Union Chiefs Declare Against
Calling General Strike.
Tell President So in Letter De-
livered Today.
NOT AFFECT maintenance men
Theirs Will Be Only WalkOut
Next Week.
Hines Charges That Order ViO-
lates Contract With Govt.

| Washington. Feb. 1.-THE railroad
employees representatives have agreed
to accept the recommendation of Pres
allegiance temporarily, it was said to-
! day.
| President Wilson informed the men
of his in ention to appoint a commits
sion of wage experts to go thoroly into
their claims. on this basis, the union
| leaders agreed to delay further de-
mands for increased wages and called
a convention of their general COM
mitteemen to be held in Washington
February 2S.
| The union leaders reply to the pres
idents proposal to handle the contro-
versy in this manner did not end the
question finally. They made it clear
that they desired word from officials
who are in closer touch with their
membership than they. the delegates,
who have been comforting with Direc-
tor General Hines since February 8.
! Washington, Feb. 14-The reply of
the railway unions to President Will
sons proposal in the wage controversy
was handed to Secretary Tumulty this
afternoon.
The decision of the union men is
for a peaceful settlement of the con-
| troversy along the lines suggested by
President Wilson yesterday when he
| received a committee of three union
| leaders, it was said.
The president is understood to have
told the union men that their demands
for an immediate. increase of 40 per
cent would not be granted at this time
The president, however. outlined a
course of action by which the leaders
| understood benefits ultimately would
be accorded the two million workers
whom they represent.
Maintenance Men Not Included.
The union officials would give nc
hint as to the nature of their decision
or the presidents proposal. 1t was
announced by the union men that the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen had
joined in the decision submitted to the
president but that the Brotherhood OF
Maintenance of Way employees had no.
become a party to it. The mainte-
nance of way men have been ordered
to strike Tuesday.
Rail Director Hines today was ex-
pected to make public a statement
| dealing with the strike of 100000
members of the united brotherhood OF
of maintenance. of way workers who
| nave OeeH " Qull NOlh az
I 7 a. m. Tuesday.
Hines Makes Charges.
Hines will charge the strike was
called in violation of the workers
contract, it is expected. The rail di-
| rector believes the contract calls for
a 30-day notice before it can be termi-
mated by either side. This notice, he
maintains. the union did not give the
railroad administration
The notice clause of the contra ct
applies only to working conditions and
not to wages, according to the union
vice president, John Malloy, who
denied Illness charge.
Won't Affect Maintenance Men.
Detroit Mich. Feb. 14.-President
| Wilson'S proposal yesterday to repre-
sentatives of the various railway
unions contained nothing that would
warrant withdrawal of the strike or
der issued to members of the United
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way
Employees and Railway Shop Laborers
Allen E. Barker, head of that organ
ization. said this morning.
4 Mr.. Barker said he had this morn
ing received copy of the presidents
proposal
II found nothing in it," he said. ''to
warrant changing the strike ORDER
It was reiterated at brotherhood
headquarters here that unless al
agreement of some kind were reached
before tonight the strike set for Feb
ruary 7 could not be stayed. Tive
or three days. it was said. would be
required TO get further instructions tc
the more than 100000 members of the
brotherhood.
Completion of the machinery foI
handling the strike was announced
several days ago, with the setting VI
of fifteen district offices thruout the
country.