Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1914-08-07
AGREE TO ARBITRATE
RAIL MANAGERS AVERT AUG. 7
STRIKE BY ACCEPTING PREsl.
DENTS PEACE PLEA.
WILSON WRITES A LETTER
Appeals to Road Chiefs Patriotism
Following Great Military Crisis in
Europe-DeeIares Waikout on 90
Lines Would Be Calamity.

Washington. Aug. 5.-Railroad man
ayers representing the 9S roads west
Of Chicago have acceded to the plea
OF President Wilson that they arbi-
trate the wage difficulty with the 55.-
600 engineers and tiremen Of their
lines. This means, according to state
ment made public by the enginemen.
a few days ago, that the strike set for
August Z. and which would have tied
up transportation throughout the west
and northwest, is called off. The strike
would have affected all service north,
west and south of Chicago. as well as
all suburban service in the city.
Before the rail heads and the repre-
sentatives OF the employees left Chi
cago last Friday for Washington at the
invitation of the president to confer
with him in last effort to bring about
peaceful settlement, w. s. Stone,
chief engineer Of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers, and w. S. Car
ter. president OF the brotherhood Of
Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen,
issued a statement declaring that the
men were ready to accept the plan pro-
posed by the federal board of medi-
alton for arbitration.
They then issued their ultimatum.
Unless the managers agreed to accept
the plans set forth by the federal
board before August z, engineers and
firemen on all roads affected by the
controversy would be called out at
noon OF that date.
On Saturday President Wilson made
an appeal 10 the rail heads. pleading
for reconsideration of their attitude
toward the mediators' proposals, citing
the terrible conditions which, in the
face of the European situation, must
prevail we're transportation through
out the West brought to standstill
and the moving of crops made impos-
sible.
On Sunday night the president dis
patched a letter to the managers. who
had been In almost continuous session,
reiterating and emphasizing his plea.
In part this letter reads:
In view of the worldwide condi-
lions, unparalleled in recent history,
which have arisen within the last few
days, 1t is obvious that the suspension
of business on roads serving more
than half the territory of the United
States would be a calamity of meal
eulable magnitude. The situation has
reached a crisis which hardly permits
full consideration of the merits of
the controversy. and feel that In the
circumstances | can appeal with conf
lence to your patriotism and to your
regard for public welfare to make
whatever sacrifice IS necessary to
avert a national disaster"
On Monday A. w Trenholm, chair
man of the board Of managers. handed
to the president personally the en-
ployers' reply. 1t stated that under
ordinary circumstances they should
feel that their interests demanded diff
ferent plans for mediation, but in ac-
cordance with the appeal and the con-
dition which had arisen they would
waive discussion OF merits.
In view, therefore. Of the situation,
as you have presented II, and Of your
appeal to our patriotism and to our re-
gard for public welfare, we beg to ex-
press to you herewith our acceptance
of the plan Of arbitration proposed"
read the managers answer.