Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1916-08-31

CHICAGO, Aug. 30-Throughout the
entire country today the railroads
gathered their forces to oppose the
strike set for next Monday.
A summary Of the situation made
by E. P. Ripley, president Of the Atchi.
son, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad COM
pany, who was a member of the COM
mittee which conferred with President
Wilson, intensified the pessimism felt
here.
Mr.. Ripley asserted that the rail
roads can now see no hope of set
tlement before Labor day and are
making every precaution for even
Qualities.
Practically every important rail
road in the country gave notice of
embargoes, or were preparing to give
them. They affect perishable freight
and livestock, which at present con-
stitute about one-third the freight traf-
fic on most western roads and passen-
gers. Agents everywhere were in
structed to warn passengers Of prob
able delays and not to accept any
perishable freight which could not
normally be delivered before Septem-
U0I =. Ill AlOSC NdScS JuC udL0 as 0CL
for Saturday, the second, or Sunday.
The party of high railroad officials
who came back to Chicago today in
cluded Mr.. Ripley, who was chosen
spokesman; w. B. Storey and E. D.
Sewall, vice presidents of the Santa
Fe: A. ]. Earling, president Of the
Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul; w. J.
Jackson, receiver for the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois; r. H. Ashton, pres
tdent Of the Chicago & Northwestern; !;
II. B. Kurrie. president of the Monon;
Louis w. Hill, president Of the Great
Northern; George T. Slade, vice pres
ident of the Northern Pacific and w.
G. Bierd, president OF the Chicago &
Alton
Mr. Ripley's face had fight written
all over it as he worked his broad
shoulders through the crowd at the
station, and the expression translated
itself into words in his subsequent
statements. He gave out three state
ments. Tho first statement was is
sued formally as the expression of the
party which returned from Washing
ton; the second was addressed to
the employees Of the Santa Fe and
warned those who might obey the
strike order that they would lose all
rights of seniority and of benefits
from insurance and pension funds.
The third was Mr.. Ripley's plan for
meeting the strike and an analysis
Of the railroads side of the contro
versy.
The three constituted blast of de.
fiance to the brotherhoods, to whose
unreasonable arrogance" he attrib.
Lted the situation.
There was some difference Of opin'
ion, he said, among the officials when
they first arrived at Washington as
to what course to pursue, but they
became absolutely unanimous when
requested to abandon arbitration
They were for it, he said.
On the important subject of what
the roads propose to do, he said that
attempts would be made to keep al
least one passenger train on each run
and that preference would next be
given to perishable freight.
He expressed the opinion that the
public would be surprised at the mum
ber of men who would remain loya
to their employers.
Legislation proposed by President
Wilson, he said, Seems not only OBJ
viously reasonable, but obviously nee
essary."
"The managements of the rail
roads," he stated, will proceed upor
the assumption that the strike viii
come on Labor day and will prepar.
to act accordingly"
To this end the presidents will NEE
at the Chicago club tomorrow ant
lay their plans.
Associated Press dispatches from al