New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Presidents Proposal for
Tribunal Accepted by
IA Union Heads, but Is
Put Up to Conference
Maintenance Men
Last to Take Action
Compittee of Experts to
Examine Records to Get
Basis for Fair Award

: WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-Indefi-
| mite postponement Of the strike,
i called for next Tuesday, of 100000
! members of the Brotherhood Of
| Maintenance of Way Employees
followed the decision here to-day of
! representatives Of the other railroad
brotherhoods to accept tentatively
President Wilson's proposal for a
tribunal to consider their wage de-
mands.
Final word for a postponement Of
the demands of 100000 railroad
workers, however, must come from
q general conference of union COM
mitteemen called to meet here Feb
ruary %. which will decide whether
to press their demands on the rail-
read administration or demand a
settlement from the private owners
after the government relinquishes
control March /.
Presidents Proposal Announced
President Wilson's proposal for the
establishment of tribunal, created
either by law or on the motion of the
President, was made yesterday to
representatives. of the railroad men
who conferred with Mr. Wilson at the
White House, it became known to-day.
The decision of the Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employees to post
%r;1 1aI e. ~,
followed an appeal made to Allen Z.
Barker, president of the organi-
zation, by President Wilson. and by
representatives. of other brotherhoods
who have been confering with Di-
rector General Hines since February
g. President Wilson called on Mr..
Barker to make sure that no Interrupt
tion of transportation occurs" He said
he felt sure the officials of the union
would realize that 'you cannot in JUS
tice to your membership and the citi-
zens generally of the United States
persist in {. course which is opposed to
your obvious duty to your country"
Wilson's Appeal to Barker
The President telegram, addressed
10 u. Barker at Detroit, follows:
Yesterday addressed to the chief
executives of the principal railroad
S
Of which you are president, message,
copy of which has been transmitted
10 you at Detroit. | have Just re-
ceved response indicating the pur-
pose of the organizations generally
TO conform to the principles Of my
message, to bring it to the attention
Of the me embershp and to hold con-
ventlon here on February % for the
purpose of carrying the matter into
effect. | note with surprise and dis
appointment that your organization
is the only one addressed which has
not expressed it's concurrence in this
method of handling the matter, and
Understand that no advice has yet
been received of withdrawal Of your
strike order which was sent out sew
era days ago.
The Director General of Rail-
roads explained this situation to your
committee as soon as it presented to
him advice of the strike order, and
ne has since summarized the position
OF the government in a telegram 10
you which fully indorse ask yo,.
to take at once the necessary steps
10 withdraw the strike order and to
'nake sure that no interruption what
ever 10 transportation occurs on
ma acceuot in thus critlcal period.
Only Practicable Method
II feel sure that you and your as
socrates Upon full consideration will
reai2o hat you cannot in justice to
,oir membership and the citizens
generally of the United States per
u course which is opposed to
0oviop laty to the country.
% hc direct and specific request Of
f0e cover ueHt and also to the atti-
e. o.ter railroad labor or
.lCUt ffi tY the mere pur-
nrleD ~ tfe procedure !
''f 4r.fn. .tu. shieh the only
metH Oa Uf.sa 0R
@s~r Rnic seftiemen' a.
grs stior nnW