Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-31
DEFY THE BROTHERHO0DS
Railroads Will Endeavor to Keep
at Least One Passenger Train
on Each Run-Practically All
Roads Declare Embargo on
Perishable Freight.

Chicago, Aug. 30.-Througnout the
entire country to-day the railroads,
great and small, gathered their forces
to oppose the strike set for next Mon
day.
The undercurrent of feeling report
ed at Washington that the catastrophe
would yet be avertcd was not reflected
here among railroad men. A summary
of the situation made by f. =. Ripley,
president of the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe. who was n member Of the
committee. which conferred with
President Wilson, as spokesman for
railroad presidents, who returned this
afternoon from the conferences at the
National Capitol, intensified the pes
simism felt here.
Mr.. Ripley asserted that the railroads
can now see no hope of a settlement
before Labor day, and are making
every preparation for eventualties
Practically every important railroad
in the country gave notice of embar-
goes. or was preparing to give them
They affect perishable freight and
livestock, which at present constitute
about one-third the freight traffic on
most western roads, and passengers
Agents everywhere were instructed to
warn passengers of probable delays
and not to accept any perishable freight
which could not normally be delivered
before September 4. In some cases the
date was set for Saturday. the 2nd, or
Sunday.
Mr.. Ripley gave three statements.
The first was issued formally as the
expression of the party which returned
from Washington; the second was ad
dressed to employees of the Santa Fe
and warned those who might obey the
strike order that they would lose all
rights of seniority and of benefits from
insurance and pension funds The
third was Mr.. Ripley's plan for meet
ing the strike, and an analysis of the
railroads sido of the controversy.
The three constitute an artillery blast
of defiance to the brotherhoods. to
whose unreasonable arrogance" he
attributed the situation
There was some difference of opin-
ion. he said, in his individual state
ment, among the officials when they
first arrived at Washington as to what
course to pursue but they became alb
solutely unanimous when requested to
he said.
ON the important subject Of what
the roads purpose to do he said that
attempts would be made to keep at
least one passenger train on each run.
and that preference would next be
given perishable freight.
lie expressed the opinion that the
public would be surprised at the num-
Der Of men who would remain loyal
to their employers.
Legislation proposed by President
Wilson, he said seems not only OBJ
viously reasonable but obviously
necessary"
"rhe manaComents of the railroads."
he stated, will proceed upon the as
sumption that the strike will come on
labor day and viii prepare to act ac-
cordinGly."
To this end the presidents will meet
at the Chicago club tomorrow to lay
their plans.
Associated Press dispatches from all
parts Of the country to-day reflected
the shock felt by every line Of industry
at the prospect Of the strike. Interur-
ban lines, it was said. would use every
aNallable car, nut tnt greatest extern
sion Of their facilities II was realized
would go but a little way toward re-
lieving congestion. Motor trucks were
hopefully referred to in stories from
many cities but here too was the
Iknowledge that this service is not cap
able of any great expansion. The stan
dard Oil company II was learned has
concentrated unusually large supplies
Of gasoline at it's depots.
DEVELOPMENTS Of the day included
the issuance Of an Injunction at
Omaha. on petition If a Union Pacific
conductor, restraining the Order of
Railway Conductors from calling n
strike on that road
The most severe embargo of the day
was ordered by the Pennsylvania road,
and caused a break of an extreme four
and one-fourth cents in the price Of
wheat on the board of trade The en-
barge affects explosives beginning to-
morrow. perishable freight beginning
Friday and all other freight beginning
Saturday. This includes wheat, which
| recently has been purchased in cnor-
nous quantities for export to Europe.
Mr.. Ripley would not undertake to
saw exactly what would be the attitude
| of thc railway executives toward the
Legislative program which President
| Wilson presented to Congress yestcr-
! dav to avert the strike.