Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-12
Regular Weekend Excur-
sion Down Potomac Called.
Off by the Executive.
DEBATE ON NEW PLAN
Another Form of Arbitration
Last Hope of Managers
May Close Roads.

Washington, Aug. 12-President
Wilson today had cancelled his
usual weekend cruise down the
Potomac on account of the growing
seriousness of the railroad strike
situation.
The president was ready, as
final resort, to deal direct with the
employees and the railway man.
agements.
President Wilson sent word today to
the mediators attempting TO settle the
threatened railroad strike that he
would like TO consult with represen-
tatives of both sides before there is A
break.
The president was in communication
by telephone with the federal media
tors and asked that he be informed If
strike became imminent. Up to
o'clock he had not received word that
the situation was hopeless.
New York, Aug ia settlement
of the differences between the man
ayers of 225 railroads and their 100000
employees through mediation has failed,
but the mediators today proposed to
the brotherhoods a new form of arbi-
tration which, shortly after IL o'clock,
| brotherhood chiefs and delegates be-
gan to consider in executive session.
Strike Hinges on Acceptance
Upon the decision of the employees as
to whether this form of arbitration will
be accepted depends the question OF
calling a nationwide railroad strike.
If the proposal is refused the only
chance of preventing a strike lies in an
appeal to President Wilson.
Announcement of the failure OF me-
diation was made by Martin A Knapp,
a member of the mediation board, after
a conference of the mediators with the
brotherhood chiefs and delegates. The
precise terms of the new arbitration
proposal were not made public but the
proposal is understood to involve an
enlargement of the arbitration board
provided for under the Newlands act
to II members.
Men Reject Proposal, Report
Although at 1915 O'Clock the meet
ing was not adjourned, a delegate
emerging from the hall said unofiic
tally that the men had voted TO reject
the proposal for arbitration and TO lay
their case before the president.
No decision was reached today by
the representatives Of the brother
hoods of railway employees on the
question of accepting proposal OF ar
bitration. They will give their answer
to the United States board OF media
ton and Cancellation tomorrow morn
ing
The brotherhoods, after discussing
the arbitration proposal made to them
by the board under the Newlands act,
adjourned without reaching a decision
They announced that an answer would
be given tomorrow at another meeting
of the chiefs and delegates of the
brotherhoods.
A b Garretson, head OF the con-
ductors' brotherhood, said after the
meeting that the mediation board had
not informed the men whether the
railroad managers had any specific
questions to arbitrate and that they
would propose that the mediators OBJ
tain from the managers a more def
mite proposition.
Mr.. Garretson described as "prema-
ture" a statement made by delegate
who left the meeting before il ad-
jOurned that the men had rejected the
arbitration proposal and voted 10 lay
the situation before President Wilson.
He said, however. that the sentiment
Of the men was still opposed TO arbi-
tration.
i ne IdllEOdu UduaRtTS TflieTdl1
their determination TO fight for the ar
bitration principle
Invited 10 Washington.
President Garretson OF the Order
OF Railroad Conductors announced
| this afternoon that he had received
a personal invitation from President
Wilson to go TO Washington immedi-
ately for the purpose Of discussing the
strike situation.
Mr.. Garretson said he would re-
spond 10 the invitation, but declined
to say when he would go.
Workers Appeal 10 Wilson.
Washington, Aug. IA petition
signed by 5000 employees OF the Nash
Vile, Chattanooga and st. Louis rail-
way, not members OF the great broth
erhoods, was presented To the presi-
dent today asking congress 10 pass
legislation protecting unorganized en-
ployes against tieup which would re-
| suit from strike OF the brother
| hoods members.
II. +. Frazier OF Nashville, Tenn.
who took the petition to the White
house said more additional petitions
| from unorganized employees OF many
| more railroads would be sent to the