New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-26
CHANGE R.
WILSON IS URGED
Continued from page I

posed to go to those battling for the
right
Before the vista Of industrial war
fare opened ty the brotherhoods de-
ciaration, Eve will not aroitrate,' the
ranks Of the railway executives stand
solidly. As soon as his case was
settled, they say. there would be a
whole series of disruates, as each re-
naming union, embracing in all l,4OO,-
coo work ,rs. presented its dcmands
with eve will not arbitrate.' The
phrase stuck in the minds of the ex-
ecutives, "a though it were the echo
of some stirring call to arms delivered
behind the closed doors of one of their
conferences. The Presidents assurance
that some way would be found to pre-
vent such disturbances in the future
was evidently discounted as heavily as
his promise Of increased rates for the
roads. In both cases there was doubt
of his ability Ito deliyer."
Results from this were not long in
reaching the White House. From all
parts of the country letters and tele-
grams poured in from Democrats beg
ging the President to change his posi-
ton and force both sides to accept
arbitration.
Democratic politicians we're amazed
that so many members OF the party
were holders of railway securities, and
they were impressed accordingly. In
stead of the political capital, they saw
in a peaceful solution of the strike,
there was a glimpse of an entirely diff
fertnt reaction from the Presidents
course. There was a vision of the In
Ruence Of the business interests OF this
country.
Say President Erred.
Even the Presidents closest advis-
ers, il is understood. feel that he has
made a serious mistake in throwing
down arbitration without making a
show for il. They hold he erred in
making the announcement of his stand
when he did; that he should have
waited at least until both sides had
been heard before declaring arbitra-
ton an impossibility. Instead, before
the executives had even been received
at the White House, he had consented
to the unions demand that it be
waived.
The Presidents friends do not ex-
pect him to reverse his position with
regard to arbitration, but, knowing his
resourcefulness. they feel that he
could. with little difficulty, restate his
attitude in way less harmful to him
self There must be some recognition
on his part that arbitration. and not
the eight-hour day, or time and half
for overtime, is the fundamental issue,
as he is already understood to realize.
Otherwise, the President will be put
in the position Of seeming TO sanction
the doctrine Of force whenever unions
are strong enough to repeat the CON
ditions" Of the present dispute.
Unless the President is brought to
realize the force of the arbitration is
sue. committed though he is to support
the demands of the brotherhoods. opin-
ion is tonight that strike is inevita-
bic
There is a deep sense among the
railway men of what the hardship of
the public would be in the event of a
strike. There is no desire to bring
one about if it can be avoided. But
there is a deeper sense of the wrong
4 they think has been done them. To
I Weld to the Presidents plan, many oil
the managers assert, would mean bank.
ruptcy for many Of the roads, and II
il comes to that they prefer to 20
down fighting.