The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-14

The President, according to those who attended the conference. showed familiarity with the situation that surprised the men.
 ''The President was most sympa. thetic," said one of the brotherhood leaders, "and his surprising knowledge of the situation and of our position may result in an understanding being reached"
 The President, 1t was said submit ted no counter-proposition to the men. but he held out hope for an adjust ment by legislation, if necessary. The impression prevailed among the broth- erhood leaders that as a last resort the President might ask Congress for eight hour day legislation.
 The leaders explained to the Presi- dent their stand against arbitration by saying that they were carrying out the wishes of the 500 delegates who sat with them at their meeting with the federal mediators. The. del- egates, the President. was told. in de- batting on whether they should accept or reject the mediators' proposal to arbitrate voted unanimously for re- jection.
 The brotherhood leaders presented to the President detailed reports of the vote cast in favor of a general strike.
 The brotherhood men went into a conference firm in their determination not to accept an arbitration under the Newlands act, which they contend has always furnished arbitrators befoie whom the men did not have an un- prejudiced opportunity.
 There were some indications that the President, recognizing that view, might propose special arbitration before a board of 12 members on which the four brotherhoods could be represented.
 The Presidents plan was to appeal to managers and men on the highest patriotic grounds to find a way to compose their differences without a strike, The Presidents conference with the men was opened with state ment by A. B. Garretson, of the con- ductors, as spokesman. He outlined the demands for an eight hour day and time and a half for overtime. He'in- sisted that the demands were fair. President Wilson then addressed the men, pointing out what disaster would follow a general strike and insisting that an agreement must be reached.
 The President then asked to know what were the specific things on which the employees were prepared to insist. MT. Garretson did most of the talking for the men and he and the President discussed the situation thoroughly. MT. Wilson proceeded to fake the demands up with the man. agers in an effort to find a common ground on which the two sides could meet. He said he was anxious to set tie the difficulty as quickly as possible and was prepared to remain in contin- uous conference, all day if necessary. After being with the President two hours. the representatives of the men left the White House and MT. Garrett son said they expected to see the President again later in the day after he had conferred with the managers. MT. Garretson refused to say whether the outlook was hopeful.
 "As long as the matter is in Presi- dent wilson's hands we will have no statement to make" said MT. Garrett son.
 I the railroad managers to lay before them the position of the workmen. It was arranged that tho managers should see the President at 3 o'clock this afternoon and that meanwhile the President would keep one or two other Important engagements. includ- ing one with NIT. Chambers. of the Federal board.
 The managers were at one hotel and the brotherhood at another while the federal mediators set about arranging the conference. It was decided that the President should see the contest ants separately to get a clearer idea of their respective positions.
 The first development of the day was a declaration by A. B. Garretson, speaking for tse brotherhoods. that the men were through with the prop