Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1916-08-10

NEW YORK, Aug. 9-If the United
States board of mediation and concili-
alton, which was called in today, fails
to adjust the differences between the
100000 employees, President Wilson
will be asked to use his personal in
fuence to avert general strike. This
statement was made today by a repre-
sentative Of the railroad managers,
who have been negotiating with the
men since June /, for peaceful set
tlement.
The appeal to the president would
be the last resort and would be taken
only to save the nation from the trade
paralysis that would follow strike
Of the magnitude planned by the rail
road men,
Late tonight efforts Of the federal
mediators to bring the contending fac
tions together were well under way
Six hours after the railroad managers
had served notice on the men they
would not withdraw their formal re-
lection of the workers demands and
lad proposed federal mediation, the
mediators and the managers were
closeted in secret session. Med alton
was suggested in lieu of arbitration
under the Newlands act, or by the
interstate commerce proposals, which
had been rejected by the brother
hoods.
What was discussed at the con
ference could not be divulged by any
OF those attending it under the media
tion rules, but it was understood that
the railroad representatives outlined
their position in full 2nd indicated
how far tney were willing to go in
meeting the demands of the men IT
was reported that the railroads stood
steadfestly for the main feature Of
their contingent proposal made at
the June conference, which conceded
tho shorter dav, but eliminated double
ccmpensation for different classes of
service during the same working day.
1t was the failure of the representa-
tives OF the railroads and the unions
to agree on the double compensation
clause that brought the June confer,
ence to sudden end and resulted in
the strike vote.
The railroad managers, in present
ing their case to the mediators, were
assisted by three experts on wages
and rates, 7. w. Higgins, former sec
retary Of the Association of Western
Railroads; G, J. Walber. secretary Of
the bureau of information Of the eaet.
ern RAILWAYS: and Charles p. Neil,
manager Of the bureau Of information
of the sOuthea stern railways.
Tomorrow it was announced by G.
w. w. Hanger, member Of the board.
the mediators will hear the railroad
employees side of the case. Then the
board will hold alternate conferences
with the opposing forces. Mr.. Hanger
said. When basis for an under,
standing has been reached, the rail
roads and men will be separately
asked if thew desire to place their
case in the hands of the board for
final adjudication If the answer is
in the affirmative, the contending
forces will have to abide by the de-
cision of the board.
1t was pointed out bv Mr.. Hanger
however that accentance of the
boards proffer of services is not OBJ
ligatory on either side and if the
trotherhoods refuse TO accept the good
Offices of the mediatcrs in reaching a
settlement. then the situation will
stand Just as it was before the me-
dators stepped in.
A. r. Garretson, president of the
Order of Railroad Conductors and Off
cial Spokesman for the men, said that
Unless the railroads made satisfact orv
concessions they would refuse to bind
themselves to federal mediation and
unless something else interviewed the
Continued on Page Four.)