The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-08-17

strong to avert q railroad strike
n peaceful adjustment was prob
able.
washington. Aug. 15.-Prospects for
averting a nationwide railway strike or
at least for the formulation of soma
tentative program which will be the
ground work for further negotiations
prlshtened today after President Will
son a conferred with 35 chiefs Of the
great brotherhoods.
AFTER the conference the brotherhood
men declared the presidents grasn OF
the situation n the position of thu
men might result in an understanding
tt 10y oshess IN touch. said the represen-
tatlVes OF the men showed a disposition
u cooperate to avoid a strike.
AFTER nearing the leaders Of the men
Tor TWO hours the president sent for the
Tor a conference at 3 o'clock
this afternoon.
ehortly after President Wilson en-
tered into conference today with renre-
~sentatlves OF the railroad brotherhooda
lit was learned in d high quarter close
10 the brotherhoods that arbitration
was probable on the basis of with
uIawal OF the compromise proposal Of
tration. "e ioi
mere were suggestions purely infdAr
mal, eminating from sources in toucH
with Doth sides, hat the men were re-
garding the possibility Of arbitration
with the president himself as CHIEF arhi-
TRAITOR. AVA
The brotherhood men went into con-
terence flrm In their determination not
70 accept an arbitration under the
NeWland's act, which they contend has
Always furnished arbitrators before
Wnom the men did not have an un-
~pre]udlced opportunity.
May Offer New Plan.
Inere were some indications that the
president. recognizing that view might
propose a special arbitration before a
BOARD OF IL members on which the four
great brotherhoods could be rep
resented. wy
The presidents plan was to appeal
10 managers and men on the highest
patriotic grounds to find a Way TO COM
pose their differences without q strike
me managers went to one hotel and
the brotherhood leaders went TO an
other TO await the call from the White
rouse when the federal mediators set
ABOUT arranging the conference. 1t was
decided the president should see the
contestants not together but one side
at a time, to get a clearer idea of the
sSpectiVe positions.
me first developments Of the day
was declaration by A. B.. Garretson.
speaking for the brotherhoOds, that the
men were through with the proposition
Of arbitration under the NeWland's act
PREVIOUS arbitrations under that law.
ne reiterated, had demonstrated the
neutral arbitrators held the balance of
power. He declared that any special
arbltratlon into which the men might
agree to enter would nave to make pro-
vision for an extension of those arbitra-
tors to give the men what they consider
a fair chance.
n presidents conference with the
men was opened with a statement by
A. B.. Garretson, OF the conductors, as
spokesman. He outlined the demands
for an eight-hour day and time and a
half for overtime. He insisted that the
demands were fair.
Wilson Makes Appeal.
President Wilson then addressed the
men, pointing, out what disaster would
follow a general strike and asking the
specific things on which the employees
were prepared to insist. Mr.. Wilson
promised to tax the demands up with
the managers in an effort to find a
common ground on which the two sides
could meet. He sal he was prepared
to remain in continuous conference all
day, If necessary. The conference was
held in the green room Of the White
House.
After being with the president two
hours, the representatives of the men
left the White louise and Mr.. Garrett
son said they expected to see the presi-
dent again later in the day after he had
conferred with the managers. Mr..
Garretson refused to saw whether the
outlook was hopeful.
A long as the matter is in Presi-
dent Wilson'S hands We Will ma, 40
statement to make" said Mr.. Garrett
son.
The president Immediately sent for
the managers to lay before them the
position of the workmen.
Meets Managers Next.
1t was arranged hat the managers
should see the president at 8 o'clock
this afternoon and hat meanwhile the
president would keep n or two other
important engagements, including one
with Mr.. Chambers, of the federal
board.
At the White House, 1t was said no
indications could be given Of the
progress OF the negotiations until the
| president saw the managers.
One of the leaders of the four
brotherhoods, after leaving the White
| House characterized the conference
with the president "as most ~encourag-
ing" and declared, the outlook for the
prevention of a general strike was
hopeful"
Mr.. GarretsOn, asked whether the ne
gotiations were eff, replied, "abso-
lutely not"
Administration officials expressed
confidence that the presidents inter-
vcntiOn would result in aVerting a
strike.
The president, according to those
who attended the conference. showed
! 4 familiarity WjBh fhe SitIkTtSDD that