New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-21
Tumulty Denies Fede-
raj Operation Is
in View.
STRIKE PARLEYS
NEAR DEADLOCK
Law for Compulsory Ar
bitration May Be
Outcome.
From +. star Correspondent Of m. Tribune ]


Washington, Aug. 20.-It is the
confident opinion of the railroad ex-
ecutives and managers who refused
to accede to President Wilson's plan
Of averting the impending nation
wide railway strike by granting an
day with pro rata over
time that the other railroad presl-
dents now on the way to Washing
ton will merely strengthen the stand
they have taken for arbitration of
the whole controversy. Most Of the
other executives summoned to the
White House will be here to-nor-
row, but it is unlikely that all will
arrive in time to meet the Presi-
dent before Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a sensational report,
generally credited among the rail-
road presidents at the capital, but
denied emphatically at the White
House, served TO illustrate the de-
termined attitude of the railway Of
fcials. This report was that the
Presidents trump card probably
would be a threat of temporary gov
ernment operation of all the roads
involved in a possible strike. The
answer of the railway heads was:
"Let the President try it.
President Firm for Eight Hour Day.
The railroad executives have 10
doubt, however, that some such move
will be taken unless President Will
son swerves from his present course
or the roads themselves capitulate.
The companies have been given %
understand that the President is de.
termined to force them to adopt he
day. He has espoused
that feature of the unions demands,
and no one believes for moment
that he will attempt a compromise
on a different basis or that the four
railway brotherhoods will accept a
settlement without the eight-hour
proviso.
II any one held a shred OF belief
that some other basis OF settlement
might be found, President Wilson him
self shattered it to-day in the tele-
gram sent to George Pope, president
of the National Association Of Manu-
facturers, who asked the President in
a message received at the White
House on Friday not 70 discard the
principle of arbitration. The Presi-
dent informed Mr.. Pope that he held
to that principle with as clear a con-
viction and as firm a purpose as any
one"
Big Systems Oppose Wilson's Plan.
The question arose to-day whether
three or four Of the larger railroad
systems OF the country might be able
by their influence to swing the other
railroad executives to their way Of
thinking. 1t was suggested that the
Pennsylvania, Great Northern (the
Hill interests) and the New York Gen.
trail might perhaps control the de-
liberations Of all the hundred eXecu-
tives, who are expected to be in Wash
ington by Tuesday morning. These
three systems are seemingly unalter-
ably opposed to the Presidents plan.
There will be no such control OF
the situation" said l.. +. Loree, presi-
dent of the Delaware & Hudson
Company "lt will be a general dis
cussion and we shall undoubtedly act
together"
Just what that action will be was as
uncertain tonight as il ever had been.
IL would seem preposterous TO believe
that the arrival of the other executives
whom President Wilson had summoned
TO the White House to help break the
deadlock would change the situation.
The expressions of opinion Of most Of
the railway leaders indicated just the
opposite. Two of the leaders in mind
are f. p. Ripley, president Of the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and
Louis W. Hill, head of the Great North
ern.
Federal Receivership Seen.
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Ripley are expected
to reach Washington early in the
morning. Things are expected 20 hum
more than ever in the railroad camp.
Mr.. Hill said yesterday that, no mat
ter what roads capitulated. his would
not, and that the eight-hour day meant
Federal receivership for most of the
country's railroads. Mr.. Ripley backed
him up to-day in q statement that came
from Chicago He left there in q de-
hant mood. He could not see why be
should be called to Washington when
his system was represented on the con-
ference committee OF managers by his
general manager, c. W. Kouns.
This is fight" said Mr.. Ripley,
"in which the entire country should
stand behind the railroads. II q COM
paratively small number Of men can
take the bit in their teeth and tie up
the commerce OF the country 10 is time
the nation discovered IT, The sooner
the better. Such a condition ought 70
be defeated at once and decisively. A
strike would cripple the country's busi-