The San Francisco call., 1905-08-10
MAY ARB|TRATE
STRIKE ISSUE
Governor Johnston of Mime
sofa Offers to Act as
Mediator for Telegraphers
URGES A SETTLEMENT
Sends Letters to Leaders
on Both Sides OF ContrO-
yersy in the Northwest

ST. PAUL, MINI, Aug. 9.-The first def
mite step looking toward the arbitration
of the struggle which has been in prog
ress for over a week between the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific railways
and the Order of Railway Telegraphers
was taken co-day when Governor John A
Johnston addressed letters tnPresident J.
]. Hill and Howard Elliott of the rail-
ways, and President H. b. Perham of the
telegraphersl urging q settlement of the
trouble and offering hrs services as medl-
ator.
The exact terms of the letters written
by Governor Johnston are not known, as
the Governor preferred that they should
be given out by the he'rec.pients if they saw
fit. In q general way, however, the Gov
crnor outlined to the press what was con-
tanned in the letters. He called the offi-
cals' attention to the fact that the pres
ant strike was. worldngsa hardship in va
fious communities throughout the State,
and appealed to them 10 take speedy
steps TO secure an adjustment of the ex-
istiag troubles To this send he rendered
the Sgood offices of the chief executive,
saying that he stood ready to appoint
commission to consider the. differences be-
tween the contendins parties. or in any
other way TO assist them 20 come to some
agreement that would permit the roads
to move their traffic without the delays
and inconveniences that are now said to
exist.
Governor Johnston was prompted to
take this action by numerous letters he
received from commercial organizations
and citizens of the State urging him TO
take some measures to end the struggle.
The Governor stated that some of the let
ters he had received declared that bust
ness in sections of the State was almost
hy he conditions which now
prevail.
Botn President Hill and President FL
Iiott are now in the East, although the
former is expected to reach St Paul some
time this week. President Perham OF the
telegrapllers has stated on several occa-
sions that he is willing to submit his case
to any fair-minded tribunal.
There were no further developments
in the situation to-day. Both sides are
still claiming that conditions are improv-
ing from their standpoint with each pass
ing day General Superintendent Slade.
in a statement issued to-day, said that as
far as the Great Northern was concerned,
the strike is a closed incident. The North
ern Pacific officials did not give out any
official statement to-day, saying that con-
ditions had so improved that there was
no longer a necessity for daily bulletin
On the other hand, officials at strike
ceptions, their men are standing Loyalty
by their officers
NEW YORK, Aug. 9.-James j. Hill
sets at rest to-day the reports said TO
have been spread among the striking
teIegraphers of the Great Northern and
Northern Pacific roads that he would
intervene in, their behalf in the con :
tention with the operating officers OF
the road. Hill said in regard TO the
case of the strikers that the men had
been dismissed because they would not
obey orders.
Men" continued Hill, who will plot
TO erlbroil a railroad and its employees
lust at the beginning Of g. season when
they know Il heavy movement OF trat-
fic is expected, as at present with the
approach of crop movements. do not
deserve to be on the payrolls of any
road. They are positions of trust and
the plotters are not fit 20 hold them
1 will see to il that any of those VINO
have been active in bringing about this
strike will never again enter the en-
ploy of the road.