Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-11
TRAINMEN INSIST ON
DEMANDS AND THINK
MEDIATION IS FUTILE
u, S, Board Is Informed
Brotherhood Chiefs See Lit
tie Hope of Reaching Salts
factory Agreement
BY Associated Press.D


NEW YORK, Aug. 1O.-The United
States board of mediation ana concilia-
tion held its first conference
today with a committee representing
the four brotherhoods of railway en-
ployes in their attempts to mediate the
controversy between the railroad men
and 225 railway systems over the de-
mand for an eight-hour day and extra
pay for overtime The mediators held
their first conference with the national
conference committee of railway man.
ayers yesterday.
William L. Chambers one Of the medl-
ators, said afterward that the railroad
managers explained how far they would
go to avoid a strike. These deliberations
are secret.
There are three possible results of the
mediation. One is that the federal board
will be able to get the managers and
workers to sign an agreement. Another
is that the mediators will be able to in
duce both parties to consent to arbitra-
ton, if mediation fails. The third posi-
bility is that the federal board will fail
in both these endeavors.
WILSON MA YTAHE HAND.
1t was predicted today that if the
board should be unable to compose the
differences. President Wilson would ask
representatives of the contending fac
tions to meet him in Washington and
that he would ask them to arbitrate their
differences. The mediators announced
that no statement would be forthcoming
until they either have succeeded or
failed 1t is understood that the labor
leaders pin their hopes of settling the
dispute upon mediation rather than ar
bitration. They are opposed to arSitra-
ton.
w. 5. Carter, president of the Brother
hood of Railway Enginemen and Fire
men, said:
Arbitration is a gambling game, even
when the dice are not loaded. Railway
employees have lost faith in the justice of
arbitration boards. They believe arbitra-
ton is as tickle as chance. If there is
arbitration of this eight-hour demand
and every effort is made to appoint neu-
trails free from prejudices, it is but toss
ing pennies to decide the question. Why
has none suggested that matter be set
tied by pulling straws, and relieve ev-
erybody of the bother"
Nothing officially was disclosed as TO
the success the mediators met but it was
learned on good authority that the
brotherhoods had shown no disposition
to modify their demands.
THE status is unchanged" was the
only comment which A B. Garretson.
head of the conductors brotherhood
was willing to make after the confer
ence.
ONLY SCRATCHED SURFACE.
I'VE have only scratched the surface"
said G. w. w. Hanger, one of the media
tors. The situation may be cleared up
within twenty-four hours and then ne
gotiations may continue for a week"
The mediators arranged for a second
conference with the railroad managers
this afternoon and to meet the brother
hoods representatives again tomorrow
morning.
Today's meeting was held in a down
town assembly hall and was attended
not only by the chiefs of the four broth
erhoods-the employees official spokes-
men but by the six hundred delegates
of the unions who are here. 1t lasted
less than an hour