Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-24
President Receives Assur-
ance from Member of Board
That Case Win be Hurried
WILSON'S MESSAGE
is MADE PUBLIC
Urged Board to Tentatively
Agree Upon Settlement
To End Strike.

Washington, June 24.-President
Wilson has received reply from the
railroad labor board in Chicago.
promising; to expedite the award in
the railroad wage controversy. The
message was in reply to one sent by
the president.
In announcing receipt of the tele-
gram, White House officials declined
to make public the text of the boards s
message.
Officials of the railroad brother
hoods went to the White House to
urge that the m essage be given. con-
tending that its text would serve to
allay in a measure the unrest among
railroad workers.
Later the text of the president's g
telegram to the board was made pub
lie. 1t follows:
Reports placed before me show
transportation situation hourly grow
ing more difficult and 1 am wonder
ing whether it would not be possible
for your board to announce deci-
sion with reference to the pending
| wage matter. At least would it not
be possible for your board, if it has
| reached no final conclusions relative
to these vital matters, tentatively to
agree upon a settlement or event q
| partial settlement"
The presidents telegram was made
public after w. l.. McMenimen, deputy
| president of the brotherhood of rail-
House. Mr.. McMenimen said that as
surance Of the presidents efforts to
| expedite the award, in view of reports
| from Chicago that no message had
| been received would have most
helpful effect.
| Board Is Divided.
| A we'll confirmed report in circula-
| tion in labor circles today said the
! board considering the railway ques-
ton, Is divided three ways, the labor
group holding out for an award
which both the company and public
representatives think is exorbitant
concede any award that the public
group think is reasonable.
| While conceding that each group
holds its own ideas and that there
I is naturally a wide divergence be-
| tween their opinions. Mr.. HanEer7tie-
clared today. that there was not hing
In the present situation to- warrant
a deadlock. There is every indica-
J ton, he said, that satisfactory
agreement will be reached within a
reasonable length of time.
! Union leaders here. however, are
not so optimistic. The brotherhood
! men, who adopted a stand of passive
neutrality when the board was created
and later became openly hostile when
! the decision was delayed. declare they
believe the board will be wrecked on
the same deadlock that ended Presi-
dent wilson's attempt to settle the
/; railroad problem last winter through
another tripartite organization. "a
Judge Barton. chairman OF the
board, declined to comment on this
report. 1T takes time for nine men,
representing three different view
said.
Chicago, June 24.-The myster,
surrounding the telegram sent BY
President Wilson to the railway labor
/ board here asking that settlement Of
the wage controversy be exnedite!d
was cleared today when the White
House announced the text of the
presidents message.
the board. said the telegram was re.
ceived by him last Monday. 1t was
marked personal and confidential
and therefore was not communicated
by Judge Barton to the other mem
bers of the board.
Baltimore, June 24.-Westerr
Maryland was drawn into the railroad
strike today when at Hagerstown thu
entire yard force numbering abou
225 men went out. Yard operations
were reported to be at standstil
but the movement of passenger and
through freight trains was not i'm
! peded, it was said.
In the Baltimore district both tn,
Baltimore and Ohio and the Pennsyl
vania reported remarked improve
J ment today.
MISSOURI r. n p