Evening star., 1946-05-16
Rail UniionsCut
Demand , butSay
Operators Ba|k
Both Sides to Notify
Truman of Failure
To Reach Accord
BY the Associoted Press

Union representatives an
nounced today that railroad op-
orators had rejected a modified
union wage increase proposal.
They said both sides would re-
port to President Truman today
they are unable to agree.
A. F. Whitney, president of the
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen,
said the Nationwide railroad strike
of engineers and trainmen still is
set for 4 pm. Saturday.
Mr.. Whitney and Alvanley John
ston, head of the Engineers Broth
erhood, told reporters they offered
modified proposal for a minimum
increase of 18 per cent or s1.44 day
as compared with their original de-
mand of $3.50 day.
Seizure May Avert Strike.
Mr.. Whitney said the operators
representatives would offer nothing
more than the Sl28 a day recon-
mended by a presidential fact-fnd-
ing board.
There still was speculation on
whether Federal seizure of the rail-
roads might forestall the strike of
10000 trainmen and engineers.
Mr.. Whitney said the negotiations
have broken off and there had been
no settlement" However, a rail
management spokesman said the
door is wide open for a resump-
ton" of talks. He added the meet
ing this morning was entirely
friendly"
Nothing to Stop Negotiations.
There is nothing at the pres
ent time" this operator representa-
tive said, that precludes either
side from r opening negotiations. y
This official confirmed that Mr.
Whitney had offered a proposal for
a floor increase of $1.44 cent q day
and that it had been rejected by
the operators. He said this figured
out at 18 cents an hour whereas Mr.
Whitney called 1t Is per cent.
Mr.. Truman has said he will not
hesitate to take over the lines if that
action becomes necessary.
Hint Of Union Attitude.
A hint of the attitude of the
brotherhoods toward seizure came
in an announcement from Mr. John
ston that as safety measure" the
big Illinois Central Railroad-al-
ready under Government control
has been removed tentatively from
the list of carriers to be struck.
Mr.. Johnston said the exemption
decision was reached in conjunction
with Mr.. Whitney.
The Illinois Central is under tech
nical operation of the Office of De-
fense Transportation as the result of
a previous strike threat.
Mr.. Johnston would neither affirm
nor deny that this was the reason
for the exemption, nor would he
explain what he meant by safety
measure"
Truman Renews Talks.
The Smith -Connally War Labor
Disputes Act, however, provides pen
alties for strike interference with
the operation of any facility under
Government possession.
Mr.. Johnston and Mr. Whitney
had called third meeting with the
operators this morning after two
sessions yesterday which the union
chiefs said we're fruitless, but which
the carrier representative said made
some progress.
Mr.. Truman brought about the
resumption of negotiations after a
series of White House conferences
on Tuesday
The other three operating broth
erhoods are to meet with the car
riers later. They are taking a
strike vote which, however, can not
become effective for some time. But
a walkout of the trainmen and en-
gineers alone would tie rail trans
portation in knots. Fifteen non
operating rail unions also are seek
ing higher pay.