Evening star., 1943-12-24

Page A-3
BY the Associated Press.
Chiefs of the brotherhoods OF
railroad trainmen and the loco
motive engineers announced at
the White House today they were
calling of the strike set for next
Thursday as far as their two
unions are concerned.
They said they were acting in
view Of President Roosevelt's propo-
sal to arbitrate the whole wage dis
pute, involving both operating ano
incorporating brotherhoods.
A. H. Whitney, president of the
trainmen, and Alvanley Johnston
head of the locomotive engineers
made the announcement to news
men after comforting with War Mo-
bilization Director Byrnes and Eco
nomic Sterilization Chief Vinson.
Three Unions Refuse Arbitration.
Mr.. Whitney said action to with
draw their strike call, to be taken
this afternoon and tomorrow morn
ing, was decided on despite the fact
the three other operating unions
had refused to go along with the
Presidents arbitration proposal.
The unions which have refused
arbitration are the firemen and en-
ginemen, the conductors and switch
men,
|. Asked whether the two unions
agreeing to arbitrate could keep the
railroads running, Mr.. Whitney
replied:
Nov you are getting into compli-
Gated matters"
Mr.. Byrnes and Mr.. Vinson were
to confer with spokesmen for the
carriers and for the Is nonoperat-
ing unions at 2 pm. to explore the
counteroffer for settlement made by
these brotherhoods In conference
with President Roosevelt last night
Whitney to Act Immediately.
Mr.. Whitney said he would get ir
touch with his Offices in Cleveland
Immediately and have the strike
call Cancelled. Mr. Johnston said he
was returning to Cleveland and tina,
the order of revocation would 90 out
tomorrow.
Mr.. Whitney said Mr.. Byrnes had
authorized them to make announce
ment Of. settlement for their two
unions.
I'VE feel that the public is en-
titled to this information prior to
Christmas" Mr.. Whitney said, add
ing that he and Mr.. Johnston de-
sired to express their appreciation
to President Roosevelt, Mr.. Byrnes
Mr.. Vinson and others connected
with the White House who have CO.
operated in bringing about settle
ment.
Mr.. Roosevelt yesterday ordered
Attorney General Biddle to prepare
the documents necessary for the
Government to take over manage
ment's reins, should such action be-
come necessary.
The announcement said a date fol
seizure had not been set, but at one
of his mediation conferences pre-
viously the President said he would
move in "a hours before the strike
deadline to be sure that employees
had adequate notice.
Rail union leaders conceded the
employees probably would work fol-
the Government and an actual inter
ruption Of transportation thereby
Would ho ovoidod
Three Unions Reject Offer.
The President issued, the an.
nouncement after three of the five
operating unions rejected his Offer
to referee the dispute and the Il
incorporating groups backed away
from his proposal without actually
joined the two operating unions
(engineers and trainmen9 In accept.
ing the offer to let the President
make a final and binding decision.
The Is incorporating" chiefs, who
represent more than a million Office
shop and track employees, responded
to The Presidents offer with a re.
quest for a settlement" They sub
mitted this new proposition:
An increase of cents an hour ir
lieu OF overtime rates after 40 hours
a week, this sum to be added tt
the Government = approved gradu.
ated increases of 4 to 10 cents ar
hour. Rail employees are exemp
from the wage-hour law, and theil
basic work week In most cases is 4,
hours, although some get time ane
a half If they work beyond eigh
hours in any day.
The President and Mr.. Bvrnes tolr
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