The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-22
WILSON'S APPEAL
Was Made as from One Citizen to An.
other.

Washington, d. G., Aug. 22-As on,
American citizen to another, President
| Wilson appealed to each of the execu
tives of the country's principal railroads
on grounds of patriotism, to accept his
plan for ayerting the threatened dis
aster of a nationwide strike He EN-
phasi2ed the necessity for keeping the
railroads in service as a part of the ma
tional defense and to make possible prep
aration for meeting conditions that will
exist after the European war.
On leaving the White House the rail.
road presidents, augmented during the
day by arrivals from the West, held a
conference at which sentiment was said
to be against agreeing to the presidents 8
proposal in it's present form. Hope was
expressed, however, that some satisfac-
tory counter proposition might be ad-
vanced and it was decided TO turn over
to committee the task of drafting a
final reply to the president.
The railroad heads still insist that
President Wilson is asking them to sac
ritice the principle of arbitration. Elisha
Lee, chairman OF the railroad committee,
issued a statement, saying:
III we are to throw arbitration into
the scrap heap what hope can there
be in America for industrial peace in
the future!
"a nationwide strike is unthinkable
when the railroads are urging that all
the matters in dispute be placed before
any tribunal constituted by public au-
thority
Arbitration is urged by Congress as
a final method for settling controversies
as to both hours and wages on railroads.
The Nelands law of 1918 was enacted
by unanimous request of the four rail
road brotherhoods and the representa-
tives Of the railroads. And yet the lead
ars, who urged this law now takes the
position that question of hours is be-
yond arbitration.
"But wages, not hours, are involved
n these demands. No proposal has been
made to establish an eight-hour day. The
iemand is for an eight hour pay basis, |
md this is the Interpretation given by
.he president in the proposal now before
he railroads. The employees have en-
,ha tically made it known that they do
Tot want eight-hours' work for eight
lours' pay, a real eight hour day.
Although few of the railroad execu-
ives invited had not arrived this aft
rnoon, it was decided that those already |
n Washington were representatives, and
therefore,, the president called them to
he White House and earnestly urged
hat his plan of settlement be affirmed.
81 will not allow passion to come into
ny thoughts in this solemn matter
e said. "We are both as trustee of
reat interests.
u am willing to allow this matter to
o to the great American jury and let
hem assume the responsibility. The
esponsibility of failure will not rest /,
18th me.
Il wish YOU to consider the eonse-
uences, as affecting the people OF the !
ties and countrysides of failure to
gree. The country cannot live if the ,
leans of keeping alive its vitality are :
lterfered with. The lives and fortunes
{ 100000 900 men, women and little
lildren-msny of whom may die-de'
end upon what may be done in this
,om | appeal to you as one American
tizen to another, to avert this dis
,ter."
The president spoke in more intimate 4
shion than he has spoken in any pre-
GUS conferences. He referred to the i
sastrous effect which a strike would =
we. especially at this time when ey- .
Y ounce Of American energy and IN a
Iative has been mobilized to meet the :,
traordinsry situation which viii \
merge out of the European war" In