The Washington herald., 1916-08-13
Wilson Takes Initial
Step to Avert National
Strike of Railroad Men

]
! President Wilson has taken his first
step to prevent national railroad tie
up.
! He has instructed Commissioner Will
lam l.. Chambers. of the Federal Board
OF Mediation and Cancellation, to invite
the representatives of four railroad
orotherhoods and the committee of rail-
way managers to confer with him here If
mediation fails
The announcement that the Federal
! mediators have asked the railway en-
ployes to agree to arbitrate their differ
ences with the roads and that the en-
ployes asked for twenty-four hours in
which to consider 1t. caused some relief
in Washington. a break yesterday had
been feared
1t was stated at the White House yes
terday that the Presidents request will
not be presented unless mediation efforts
fail entirely.
His object in sending instruction to
Judge Chambers was TO put into effect
executive Intervention before either side
, could take action precipitating a national
strike.
1t is believed in some quarters here
that Intervention is already a failure.
but the President does not entertain that
view.
He is anxious. it was said that every
process and remedy provided by law
shall be exhausted before he actively
| intervenes.
VIII Accept Invitation,
1t is now expected that the invitation
| to the representatives of the roads and
to the men to confer with the President in
| Washington will not be delivered until
after todays conferences.
1t Is not doubted that, If arbitration
is not agreed to, the roads and men will
accept President Wilson's invitation.
While 1t has no mandatory character
1t Is believed it will receive the consid
Grafton demanded by the Presidents Of
| hce
Certainty is expressed in admfnistra-
tion circles that a strike will be avoided
and that finally the brotherhoods il they
meet the President, will discuss the sit
uation with him, in terms of conciIia tion
and accommodation.
1t is believed the President will fnpress
upon both sides the public necessity for
avoiding strike, which would paraIvze
the transportation facilities and PROSTATE
the industries of the country.
| Six thousand unorganized railroad en-
ployes, through Robert T. Frazier, of the
Nashville, Chattanooga and st. Louis
Railroad, Yesterday appealed to Presi-
dent Wilson to protect them from "a de-
structive interruption of interstate COM
merce"
VIII Delay Mail Delivery,
! Frazier who is a mechanical employe.
said the petition, which he delivered to
the White House, was the first in a series
to be presented in a few days. Tho next
he said' would be signed by u,Ooo en-
ployes OF the Rock Island lines, the DE-
dtions continuing until 50 per cent of
the railroad employees of the country
who are unorganized have been heard
from.
Officials of the Postoffice Department
yesterday afternoon began studying
plans for transporting the United States
mail in the event of a general railroad
strike.
First of Long Series.
II the strike comes it will entirely prs-
vent the delivery of mail over long dis
tances, officials said, and conferences
will be held Immediately by Postmastsr
General Burleson with representatives of
the unions and the railroads in an effort
to complete an emergency arrangements
Local malls would be delivered by auto
mobiles.
The American Federation of Labor
stands solidly behind the railroad en-
ployes, and will support them to the end
Of their fight against the roads" yester-
day declared Frank Morrison, secretary
of the Federation, when the brotherhood
leaders reported to him that they had
taken an unequivocal position against
further delay. and demanded an fmme-
diate proposal from the mediators.
al NJ