Evening star., 1946-05-20
Union Leaders
ReportGains
In Rail Talks
Confer With SteeImun
For w Hours; Willing
To Meet Operators
BY the Associated Press

Brotherhood leaders reported,
"We're making progress" today
in Government talks looking
toward settlement of the rail la
Dor dispute before Thursdays
strike deadline.
Alvanley Johnston, president of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers, brought reporters this word
from an hour and half confer
ence with John r. Steelman, presi-
Dental labor adviser. A. F.. Whit
ney, head of the trainmen's brother
hood, also participated.
Mr.. Johnston declined further
comment on reports settlement of
the rail wage issue was imminent
Ready to Resume Joint Talks.
He reiterated that the unions are
willing to resume joint negotiations
with the carries Negotiating Com
mittee whenever asked to do SO by
President Truman or Mr. Steelman
In New York, Thomas j. Harkins,
assistant grand chief of the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers,
said he believed there would be a
settlement which would prevent a
nationwide railroad strike, but that
it would not be announced before
S pm. (EST Wednesday.
The White House told newsmen
that in addition to comforting with
Mr.. Whitney and Mr.. Johnston,
Mr.. Steelman had talked by tele-
phone with the spokesmen for the
carriers and was hopeful of the
results. Mr.. Steelman expected to
confer with the operators later.
The separate conferences were
intended to bring together very
soon" the brotherhood and carrier
negotiating groups.
In making this announcement
however, Eben Ayers, assistant press
secretary for President Truman,
said he did not think joint confer
ences could be resumed today.
Seek Wage Changes.
The Engineer and Trainmen
Brotherhoods are seeking wage and
working rule changes which the car
riers SO far have declined to accept
Reconversion Director John w.
Snyder. Mr. Steelman and Secre-
tary of Labor Schwellenbach are
meeting today on the soft coal
dispute, Mr.. Ayers said in reply to
questions, adding:
"As far as I know they are not
talking about seizure
Principals on both sides have said
privately they looked for the Gov
ernment to take over the mines by
the middle of the week.
Seizure Next Step.
A Government labor official to-
day predicted Government seizure
of the soft coal mines would be the
next step in avertmg a renewal OF
the coal strike.
This official, who asked to remain
anonymous, said John l.. Lewis and
the soft coal operators now fee
that further efforts to negotiate g
contract would be fruitless.
Seizure action depends, however
he said, on the willingness of botl
sides to cooperate in running the
mines and eventually working out
a contract with Government help
The labor official expressed belle
that, If seizure is ordered, it prob.
ably would not occur until after thu
railroad controversy has been solved
The truce under which most O.
100000 striking United Mine Work.
ers are again digging coal expire.
next week end, while the Nation.
wide strike of railroad trainmen anc
engineers has been postponed onl,
until pm, local standard time, OF
Thursday.
No Compromise Hinted,
There was no indication from
Mr.. Ayers that the railroads or tn,
brotherhoods had agreed to any
compromise so far.
Mr.. Truman, who first Cancelled
but then reinstated weekend
fight to Missouri, planned to hurry
back to the Capital today.
| Even before he took off, Mr.
Whitney and Mr.. Johnston cam,
back to town as part of the presi.
dentially inspired truce agreement
However, lest the situation follow
last weeks pattern and wind up in {
| neuY sfa1nrnofa tho Couor,,y,,oy
(See STRIKES Page A-6.)
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