Evening star., 1916-08-11
THEEND
OF R. R. DEADLOCK
Federal Board of Mediation
May Ask President Wilson
to Intervene.
DELAY IN NEGOTIATIONS
is FORMALLY REQUESTED
Employers and Employees Equally
Firm in Demands Solution of
Problem Difficult.

After celebrating the greater
part of the night, Commissioners
William A. Chambers, Martin A.
Knapp and G. w. W.. Hanger of
the United States board of medi-
alton and conciliation were to-
day no nearer solution of the
deadlock in the dispute between
the four railroad brotherhoods
of the country and their en-
ployers than they were yester-
day.
The efforts of the mediAtors to avert
nationwide strike were virtually at
halt, due to the fact. it was reported,
that the railroads refuse to grant any
concession other than arbitration. while
the men persist in their stand for the
| unequivocal granting of their demands
for an eight-hour day and time and a
half overtime.
Both sides had stated their cease to
the mediators and the situation was de-
scribed by Martin A. Knapp. one of the
mediators. as deadlock on the face of
it," Mr.. Knapp declined to prophesy
as to whether a solution of the problem
could be discovered He said that the
mediators were not in communication
with President Wilson. and when asked
If they would consult him later, replied
that it was impossible to say.
- Request for Delay.
A formal request for a twenty-four
hour delay in the negotiations was
made by the federal board to the union
men today when they assembled to re-
ceive the mediators. and it was reported
that the board. unless there was an un-
expected change in the situation in that
time, was prepared to suggest to Presi-
dent Wilson that he intervene.
Mr.. Hanger, who asked for the delay,
took pains to point out, however, that
no particular significance should be
attached to the sudden change In their
plans.
"It must be remembered" he said,
that the question at issue involves
hundreds of railroads and thousands of
men and the mediators cannot arrive
at a judicious conclusion as to the
merits in the case until they have
thoroughly assimilated the situation"
Mr.. Hanger added that the board ex-
pected to continue its deliberations to-
day and might reach a decision by
evening as to the time of the next
meeting with one or the other side IN
the dispute.
Unwilling to Wait Long.
I'VE do not intend" said W. s. stone,
chief of the Brotherhood of Railroad
Engineers, ito wait very long on the
mediators. The temperament of the
men is such that they would not have
waited a minute il we had not per-
suaded them to give the mediators
chance. Personally. do not care to
carry the strike vote around in my
pocket for any extended period. 1t is
like a stick of dynamite"
Since it's organization in 1913. through
an act of Congress, and up to Sep
tember 20, 1915. the board has sat on
! forty-seVen controversies between rail-
| roads and their employees. In every
| instance the board has succeeded In
securing an ultimate adjustment of the
differences. thirty-nine cases having
been settled by mediation alone, and
eight by arbitration.
Alleged Plan Of Railway Men.
One report current today was that
the railroad managers were ready to
propose a different form Of arbitation
than that provided for under the New
lands act, which the brotherhoods OBJ
ject to. This was that instead of six
arbitrators-two appointed by each side
and two neutral-the board consist OF
four appointed by each side and four
or six neutral, making a total mem
bership of twelve or fourteen. This
would make it posxible also for each
of the four brotherhoods to have an
arbitrator on the board.