Evening star., 1916-08-04
Talks Over Railroad Situation
With Judge Chambers of U. S.
Mediation Board.
SENATE DELAYS ACTION y
AWAITING ARBITRATION
Tables Resolution to Investigate
Wages and Hours of Service of
Employees Conference Monday. 4


all in his power as chief execu-
tive to avert the threatened
strike to tie up all the 200 rail-
roads of the country, had an early
morning conference with Judge
William L. Chambers, commits
sioner of the United States board
of mediation and conciliation, the
federal organization empowered
to prevent interference with the
regular traffic of the railroads.
1t is understood that the Presi-
dent also considered this matter
with his cabinet, as soon after
Judge Chambers had left the
White House he was informed
that the President would prob
ably want to see him again later.
While awaiting his second con-
ference with the President, Judge
Chambers withheld a statement
which he promised to the news
paper men regarding efforts to
avert the strike.
Judge Chambers Makes Statement.
In answer to inquiries, Judge Cham
bers later made the following state
ment:
''Yes. was called to the White House
this morning by the President. who
wished all the information available
on the pending railway labor contro-
versy-in other words, the President
wished to be in definite touch with the
situation. l am sorry 1 cannot meet
your request for what took place at
the interview. The President now has
all the information the board possesses
on the subject and he also has our
point Of view, but any statement that
may be given out for publication
touching the conference with him must
be made from the White House."
At the White House it was said
there would be no formal statement.
Judge Chambers pointed out that the
strike vote" now being taken does not
mean immediate strike, but a threat to
strike If negotiations by labor officials
in that vote are unsuccess-
full He also pointed out that the fed
eral board of mediation and conciliation
has power to act on the invitation of
either party to the railroad contro-
versy. or in urgent cases without watt
ing for such an invitation.
Senate Puts Off Investigation.
Pending mediation and arbitration be-
tween the 225 railroad systems and
their 4OO,0 employees. the Senate COM
mittee on interstate commerce today
tabled a resolution authorizing an in
vestigation of the wages and hours Of
service of railroad employees by the in
terstate commerce commission.
G. w. w. Hanger, designated yester-
day by the President as assistant COM
missioner of the board of mediation
and conciliation. is on his way to New
York on invitation to the board for an
conference with certain rail-
roads represented by the special confer
ence committee of railroads and employees
in yard service represented by the Switch
mems Union of North America. This re-
quest was signed by Horace Baker, chair
man of the special conference committee
of the railways, and S. Z. Heberling. in
ternational president of the Switch
mems Union of North America
Conference here Monday with the
board of mediation and conciliation in
an effort to adjust differences was ar
ranged at the joint request of the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad and certain of
its employees engaged as telegraphers.
This request was signed by J. J. Der
nody, fourth vice president of the Or
Ter of Railroad Photographers. and J. NJ.
Davis. vice president of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company.
Commissioner Chambers pointed out
that in both these cases strike votes have
been taken and said that these appeals
show the wide latitude that rests with
The federal board to adjust the threatened
Ia ton wide strike after the strike vote