Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-24
Strike Likely
 To Be Averted
RAILROAD MANAGERS AGREE TO
 A CONFERENCE.
'TODO WHAT IS FAIR.
Commissioner NeilI Says That is Pur pose of lnterVention-Engineers Ex pect Mediation to Follow.

New York. April 23.-8Iediation in the dispute between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the eastern railways, which has threatened to re- suit in a strike on fifty lines east of Chicago and north of the Potomac, is expected to result from the action of the conference committee of railway managers today in agreeing to confer with Charles P. Neill. United States labor commissioner, and Judge Martin J. Knapp of the United States com merce court on the subject.
 Possibility of Strike More Remote. While the answer of the railroads to the letter Of Messrs. Neil and Knapp
 did not definitely accept mediation, the opinion was expressed by the engineers | that in the end this would be the re- i suit. Commissioner Neill in an inter view given out after he had received the railroads answer also indicated that he considered that mediation was intended. Tonight in all quarters the opinion was expressed that the possi- ! bllity of a strike, which yesterday ap- peared imminent. is increasingly re- ! mote.
 Conference to Begin Today. On a series of conferences beginning tomorrow probably will depend either the definite settlement of the dispute or the arrangement of a plan of arbi- 1 tration. MT. Neill announced tonight | that he will confer with the railroad managers tomorrow morning and fl i possible will meet the engineers later in the day. Judge Knapp, according | to word received from Washington to- night, will leave that city tomorrow tC ] take part in the negotiations here. ThS | decision of the railway managers tc | confer with Messrs. Knapp and Neil l was reached after a conference lasting i practically all day.
 The Plan of Action.
 ! Immediately upon receipt of this let | ter MT. Nell announced his programme i for immediate action toward ending the trouble, if possible. It Is his plaI for him to confer with the railway i managers, while Judge Knapp will con 1 fer with the engineers. The two vii meet later to compare notes. In thi!
 way, MT. NeiII pointed out, the right of each side will be protected by se' ] crecy from the other, while giving thu | government representatives a basil
 upon which to work for settlement,
 Striving to Do What is Fair. In QlScuSSlDg the matter LODiguL7 MT | Nell said fin part:
 Tn the position in which I am placet
 I cannot venture any opinion, or say anything about the prospects of ! speedy settlement of the difficulties Both sides have now agreed to aCcep 1 our kindly offices in an attempt to pre- oIqnd sQl lBQl YUIQo I '5F!Jls D lu5
 should be correctly informed of tn progress being made, and this l an l always willing to do when I can do S
 without hindering our plans. Nothin i will be secret, but you must realize " are all striving to do what is fail | When everything is settled then 1 vii
 be more a. liberty to talk"
 Roads Have Not Agreed to Mediation
 On behalf of the railroads, followin
 the giving out of their letter, it wa
 stated that the decision to confer wit the government representatives did no
 mean that they had agreed to media
 tion. The position of the railroads.
 was stated, is that they will hear wha
 Mr. Neill has to offer them, but in cas
 his proposals are not satisfactory tn
 railroads are free to refuse them.
 this event affairs would return to thei
 former status-the refusal of the rail
 roads to grant the demands of the en
 gineers,