Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-10
NO DISPOSITION
TO MODIFY THEIR
DEMANDS SHOWN
At First Mediation Conference
Brotherhoods Hold Firm,
Status Unchanged
ADJUSTMENT IS DIFFICULT
See Little Chance of Reaching
Satisfactory Settlement;
Demands Explained
By Associated Press

New York, Aug. 10. - The United
State Board of Mediation and Con-
ciliation held it's first conference to-
day with the representatives of the
four railroad brotherhoods of en-
ployes in its efforts to prevent through
mediation a countrywide strike to en-
force the employees demands for an
S-hour basic time and time and a half
for overtime.
Nothing was officially disclosed as
to the success the mediators met, but
it was learned on good authority that
the brotherhoods had shown no dis
position to modify their demands
The status is unchanged" was the
only comment which A. B. Garretson,
head OF the conductors brotherhood
was willing to make after the con-
ference adjourned.
We have only scratched the sur
face" said G. W. W. Hanger, one Of
the three members of the mediation
board. The situation may be clear
ed within "a hours and then negotia-
tions may continue for a week"
The mediators arranged for a sec
ond conference with the railroad man
ayers this afternoon and to meet the
brotherhoods' representatives again
tomorrow morning. To-days meet
ing with the men was held in a down
town assembly hall and was attended
not only by the chiefs of the four
brotherhoods-the employees official
spokesman-but by the 500 delegates
OF the unions who are here. It lasted
less than an hour. Outsiders We're
barred.
Seek to Learn Concessions
1T was assumed that the mediators,
a af
ence yesterday with the railroad man
ayers, sought to learn from the men
how far they were willing to go in
making concessions which would
bring both sides to common ground as
a basis of settlement
The brotherhood chiefs told them.
however, that they were still firm in
their demands as originally presented
10 the railroads. While expressing
their appreciation of the efforts of
the medlators, ii was said that thew
informed them that they saw little
chance of reaching a satisfactory ad
1ustment The mediators however.
II was said did not contemplate that
the men would offer concessions at
to-day's meeting. Most of the meeting
was devoted by Mr.. Garretson to a
detailed explanation OF the brother
hoods demands, upon which he made
u clear, 1t was understood. that they
SlOOu ITHl.
Three Results Possible
There are three possible results Of
the mediation. One is that the federal
board will be able to get the mana gers
and workers to sign an agreement
another is that the mediators will he
able TO induce both parties to consent
10 arbitration, if mediation fails The
third possibility is that the federal
board will fail in both these en-
deavors
Wilson May Take Hand
1t was predicted to-day that if the
board should be unable to corpose
the differences, President Wilson
would ask Representatives of the con-
tending factions to meet him in Was
lngton and that he would ask them
to arbitrate their differences. The
mediators announced that no state
ment would be forthcoming from
them until they either have succeed
ed or failed. 1t is understood that
the labor leaders pin their hopes Of
settling the dispute upon mediatfon
rather than arbitration now that the
managers have failed to agree with
them. They are opposed to arbi-
tration.