The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-08-15
President Realizes Gravity Of
the Situation In the Threat
ened Strike Of Near Halt
Million Brotherhood Members
GOVERNMENT EXERTING ALL
EFFORTS TO AVERT TROUBLE
Arbitration Refused BY Employees,
But Their Leaders Agreed To
Meet the Chief Executive In
Conference At White House
ASSOCIATED Press by Federal wirsle,s.)


NEW YORK, August l4.-Propos-
~ ais for arbitration of the differ
ences between the officials of
the railroad systems of the country
and the representatives of the four
great brotherhoods of railroad en-
rioyes have been rejected by the
latter.
Both the railroad managers and the
brotherhood leaders, however, have &C
CPpted the invitation of President
Wilson to confer with him in Wash
ington, with a view, II possible, to
averting the nation wide strike of
10000 men, a declaration of which
! as been authorized by brotherhood
leaders, and which may be made at
any time, unless the conference at the
capital bears hOped-for results. Con
frrees left this city AT midnight to
meet the President this afternoon.
Tumulty Bears Message
Joseph p Tumulty, private secretary
I" the President, was the bearer of
personal message from Mr.. Wilson to
both the railroad employers and EN-
I'I"yes of this city. 1t is understood
that the chief executive communica-
''on is 40 earnest appeal to the repre-
>"ntatives of either side of the contro-
'"rsy to do all in their power to avert
the threatened strike.
1t is well understood that if the con.
ference fails to remedy the present sit
uatiOn a national calamity will ensue !;
that from one end of the country to
the other nearly half a million workers
Of all grades throughout the entire
network of steam and electric rail.
roads, will walk out on the declaration
of general strike, and it is realized
that the circumstances call for the i'm
mediate exertiOn or whatever infiu-
cnce can he brought to bear by the
government.
Realizes Danger
That the President realizes the erav.
itY of conditions and feels his respon.
SIl9llty and is preparing to meet il is,
~ the opinion of leaders on both sides,
rridenced by his sending his secretary
a. person to impress upon principals
ere the absolute necessity of prevent
ing the strike.
Whatever the President and con
cress can do to avert the tying up of
transportation, the generalization of
the mails, and the suffering and dis
turbaDces that would be bound to fol-
low strike, will be done, say officers
Of the government. The power of the
government. however. is limited to per-
SuasiOn, and the trainmen cannot be
compelled TO operate the railroads
should they refuse, nor can the federal
authorities force the railroad manag.
"rs to give in to the demands of the
employees, who are insisting on an
eight hour day and time and half for
overtime.
Refuse Arbitration
Nor can arbitration be insisted on.
Leaders of the trainmen have I'M
equiVOcally refused TO consider arbi-
tration, and the government can pro-
coed no further along this line. All
hopes are now conferred in the confer
ence called by the President at Wash
IRgtOn and, inasmuch as has invita-
tiOns to discuss the differences have
hoeu accepted by chiefs of the unions
and the railways, there remains a pos
sibility of saving thu seruation.
The only interference that may be
made by the government would be in
event of violence arising from a strike,
which event it would at once be-
come the duty of federal authority to
prevent further breaches of the peace
nd to punish those involved in violat
ing the law.
1t 10 ipointed out that the Washing
ton conference may establish a truce
pc nding an investigation of the hours
and wages question by the interstate
{ commerce commission or congress
SIGNAL Investigation. Public opinion
il opposed to any hasty action on the
part of the railroad employees.
The traiumen yesterday made pub
he the figures of the vote taken on
their willingness to authorize a gen
"ral strike. revealing the small number
of such. railroad employees as had re-
corded their opposition to walking out
n the event of their demands being
refused by the managers. Those in
favor of strike numbered JESSIE,
with only 1880 opposed.