Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-15
WILSON iMPRESSES
RAILWAY TRAINMEN;
MAY AVOID A STRIKE
Brotherhood Men, After Con-
ference Say Presidents
Grasp of Situation May Re-
suit in an Understanding
(By Associated Press.)

| Associated
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-Prospects
| for averting a nationwide railway
strike, or at least for the formulation
of some tentative program which will
be the ground work for further negotia-
/ ton, frightened up today after Presi-
dent Wilson had conferred with thirty
| five chiefs of the great brotherhoods.
After the conference the brotherhood
men declared the presidents grasp Of
the situation and the position of the
men might result in an understanding
being reached, and others in touch with
the conference said the representatives
of the men showed a disposition to CO.
operate to avoid a strike.
After hearing the leaders Of the men
two hours, the president sent for the
managers for a conference at 8 o'clock
this afternoon. How far whatever prog
ress made at the conference with the
men can go toward averting break,
cannot be determined until after the
president confers with the managers
committee.
The president, according to those vtho
attended the morning conference. show
ed a familiarity with the situation that
surprised the men.
''The president was most ,sympa-
thetic" said one of the brotherhood lead
ers land his surprising knowledge OF
the situation and of our position may
result in an understanding being reach
ed"
The impression prevailed among the
brotherhood leaders that as last re-
sort the president might ask congress
for eight-hour-day legislation
EXPLAIN THEIR STAND.
The leaders explained to the president
their stand against arbitration by say
ing that they were carrying out the
wishes of the 500 delegates who sat
with them at their meeting with the fed
eral mediators The delegates, the
president was told, in voting on whether
| they should accept or reject the media
tors proposal to arbitrate, voted unanl-
mously for rejection.
The brotherhood leaders presented to
the president detailed reports OF the vote
cast in favor of a general strike.
The discussion this morning, it was
learned, conferred largely about the pos
sibility of reaching an agreement on
some form of arbitration, and particu-
lar attention was paid to the subjects 10
be arbitrated-
II was considered possible that ten
tative agreement would proVloe LOT ar
bitration of the demands of the men
for an eight-hour day and for time ana
\ a half overtime, with the elimination or
the counter proposals of the employers.
The railroads have wanted to arbitrate
their counter proposals, and tnat tne
men resist. They were hrst inclined 10
arbitrate their own demands, but later
indicated their Discrimination to arbt-
| trate anything.
OPPOSE ARBITRATION.
The brotherhood men went into the
conference firm in their determination
not to accept an arbitration unoer the
Newlands act, which they contended mas
always furnished arbitrator before
whom the men did not have an unpreJu-
diced opportunity.
president. recognizing that view, might
nropose a special arbitration before a
hoard of twelve members on which the
four great brotherhoodS could be repre-
scented.
The presidents plan was to appeal to
managers and men on the highest patrl-
otic grounds to find way 10 compose
their differences without strike.
There were some suggestions, pure
" informal emanating from neither
one side nor the other, but from sources
in touch with both, that the men were
regarding the possibility Of arbitration
with the president himself as chief ar
bitrator. -
The presidents conference with the
men was opened by statement by Mt.
Garretson as spokesman. He outlined
the demands for an eight-hour day and
time and 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 the specinc
things on which the employees were pre-
nared to insist. Mr.. Garretson did most
of the talking for the men and he and
the president discussed the situation
Thoroughly. Mr.. Wilson promised to
take the demands up with the managers
in an effort to find a common ground on
which the two sides could meet. He
said he was anxious to settle the difn-
Guilty as quickly as possible ana was
prepared to remain in continuous con-
ference all day if necessary.
The conference was held in the green
room of the White House. Large crowds
gathered on the lawn in front Of the
White House to hear news OF the pro-