Evening star., 1916-08-20
TRANSPORTATION CHIEFS >
FROM WEST ARE INVITED
Industrial Interests Asked to
Register Opinion for Arbitration
Principle.
MAYBE BREAK; NOT LASTING
Counter Proposals Not Considered
Probable-Seriousne of Sit
uation Is Not Lost
Sight OF.

The entire business strength
of the country is being can
vassed regarding President Viii
sons proposal to the thirty-three
railroad of6cials-equivalent to a
demand-for averting the threat
ened nationwide strike.
Before the arrival here of four
teen presidents of western rail-
roads to whom the President late
yesterday afternoon telegraphed
an invitation to. come to Wash
ington to join in the conferences
it is expected that many power
full protests will have been sent
to the White House
Representatives of the railroad
managers committee presented
a supplementary list of seventy
other railroad heads to the White
House last night, with the sug-
gestion that they also should be
invited here if the President
wishes to assemble all those in
authority and responsibility.
"Back-Fire' Campaign.
This was believed in some quarters
to be a move on the part of the railroad
officials to gain more time in which to
organize their "back-fire' campaign
and to arouse public sentiment favora-
bl to their cause.
No secret is made of the fact that
other large business interests are hav-
ing it brought to their attention that
the abandonment OF thf principle OF ar
bitratfon for settlement of all indus
trial disputes. which the railroaos claim
the President asks them to do in the
present instance, is likely seriously TO
AFFECT them in the future. These inter-
ests are expected to register their Oh.
jections at the White House.
No Strike Anticipated.
Despite the apparent deadlock at the
White House conferences and the firm
attitude of the railroad officials in in
sisting upon settlement of the entire ques-
tion by arbitration, the conviction. even
among the railroad presidents. that there
wifi be no strike grew last night.
"A number of prominent railroad presi-
dents were quoted as saying that the
probabilit of strike seemed to them
more remote than at any time since the
President volunteered his services as
mediator.
While there will be no definite action
taken in the controversy before tomorrow
or Tuesday 1t was pointed out on reli-
able authority that over the week end
the railroad officials will get into COM
munication with the controhng nitro ,a nnaneasl n
full directors Of the railroads VIII De
brought to Washington.
Talk of arrangements Tor strike con-
tinued among managers and employees
Each side thought that il such break
came it would not last more than week
Counter Proposals Not Weighed.
Discussion Of counter proposals and
compromises were current, but were
given little real attention by those who.
are in closest touch with all phases OF
the situation. Possibility of the gov
ernment operating the railroads in
case of a strike were also discussed
as a remote contingency.
The seriousness of the situation was
never for a moment lost sight OF In
either camp-that of the railroad ofii-
cials or of the brotherhood leaders.
The unprecedentedness of the gather
ing in Washington of the largest group
of railroad officials ever assembled in
this country, and the calling together
of the committee of $40 brotherhood
leaders from 225 railroad systems and
holding power of attorney for 100000
IaA hot hn
to be forced by the administration.
Then came the Presidents dramatic
appeal to the thfrty-three railroad.
presidents. yesterday. practically de-
draw their insistence upon arbitration
to meet a condition" confronting 100.-
600. 900 citizens of the United States
For the first time the Presidents pro-
posal to both parties for settlement oe
their controversy became authorita-
lively known when an official state
ment was issued by the White House.
person. Quickly following this came
strong statement from the railroad
ofnciais justifying their demands for.
settlement of all points in controversy
by arbitration
Both Camps Quiet. -
Last night there was a brooding
,uiet about the two headquarters. Both
,ides were aumlttedly pioneering deep
v over the Presidents proposal" Tho I.
,ext move is supposed to be made by :.
he railroad presidents tomorrow.
rhey are expected to give an answer.
o President Wilson at the White
House, although even then II is not
believed that 1t will be final
Each part of the Presidents pro-
,oeal is expected to be taken UP sepa-
.ately, and the answers given to the
White House separately. This fact and
he fact that the western executives
,annot reach Washington for several
Avs will contribute to the executiveS
80, .fr rnssaidAr the w1.ola urot,lern