The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-22

Washington, Aug. Gas one
American citizen to another, Presi-
dent Wilson yesterday appealed to
each of the executives Of the coun-
try's principal railroads, on grounds
OF patriotism, to accept his plan for
averting the threatened disaster of a
nationwide strike. He emphasized
the necessity for keeping the railroads
in service as a part of the nation
al defense and to make possible
preparation for meeting conditions
that will exist after the European war
On leaving the White House, the
railroad presidents, augmented during
the day by arrivals from the West,
held conference, at which sentiment
was said 20 be against agreeing to the
presidents proposal in its present
form. Hope was expressed, however,
that some satisfactory counter-prop-
osition might be advanced, and il was
decided to turn over to committee
the task of drafting final reply to
the president.
The railroad heads still insit
that President Wilson is asking them
to sacrifice the principle Of areitra-
tion. Elisha Lee, chairman of the ma
tional conference committee OF rail
ways, issued statement last night,
in which ne said: That the railroads
should grant, under threat Of ma
tional strike, a S50000,O00 wage pre-.
ferment to a small minority OF their
employees, without hearing before a
public tribunal is inconceivable IN a
democracy like ours. All questions at
issue-Wages, hours, costs, operating
conditions-are submerged b. tie
greater isue Shall arbitration he
abandoned in the settlement of indus
trial disputes?"
The statement suggests. however
that railroads stand ready to take
whatever action the people of the
country desire. II concludes: The
weight Of public opinion must deter
| mine this issue. We cannot believe
that il is the calm judgment Of the
country that we should sacrifice the
principle of arbitration in industrial
disputes under a threat to tie up the
| commerce of the country"
While the officials were listening
to President Wilson and later con
| ferring at their hotel the genera
committee OF $40 Representatives o'
the employees who already have &C
cepted the presidents plan held 9
perfunctory meeting and marked tim,
awaiting the decision OF the employ
ers. They said they would wait unit
President Wilson dismissed them, bu
stood ready to call strike should tn,
negotiations fail.
Although a few OF the railroad ex
ecutives invited had not arrived yes
terday afternoon, 1t was decided tina
those already in Washington wer,
representative. and therefore th,
president called them to the Whit,
| House and earnestly urged that hi
plan OF settlement be reailirmed.
The Presidents Plea
81 will not allow passion to COM
into my thoughts in this solemn mat
tre," he said. I'VE are both acting u
trustees OF great interests. am will
ing to allow this matter to go to IN
great American jury and let them a.
sumo the responsibility. The rospor
sibility of failure will not rest wit
me.
| III wish YOU to consider the cot
sequences as affecting the people q
, the cities and countrysides OF u fai
ure TO agree. The country cannC
| live IL the means OF keeping alive II
vitarity are lnterfcred with Tn
lives and fortunes OF i0O.OOO,OOO met
women and little ones-many {
whom may die-depend upon whs
may be done In this room appel
to YOU as one American citizen to al
other to avert this disaster"
A. h. Garretson, spokesman for IN
brotherhoods, declined last night
make any comment on the railroa
managers statement Any reply to
he said. would be In the form OF a