The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-08-14

lployes agree to arbitration, provided
railroads agreed to withdraw theiI
counter proposals and that the railway
managers had SO agreed. Following
the conference ncne of the employees
Representatives would confirm this re
port.
The Counter Proposals.
These counter proposals were that
any discussion should include beside
wages. REIMBURSEMENT of ruls and re-
uiations on which present wages are
based. The railway managers con-
tend it is essential that the whole mat
| ter be taken up, since it obviously
would be unfair to have the old rules
and regulations govern the proposed
new wage basis
Several OF the representatives as
they left the executive mansion way
ed their hats to the newspapermen-
| nifty OF DEMONSTRATING outside. There
was no indication the men felt discour-
/ aged as a result of their conference.
Garretson's face was flushed and he
mcpped it with his handkerchief, but
he was smiling. Immediately after
the men left, Judge Chabers returned
TO the white house for another confer
ence.
Meets Representatives.
| by Robert ]. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-President
wilson met the representatives OF
the railway workers brotherhoods in
the first Of the conferences. whereby
he hopes to avert the disastrous strike
impending on all American railroads,
shortly after 10 o'clock this morning
How long the session would last was
not determined, nor when the meet
ing of the president and the repre-
sentatiEes of the railway managers
would be held. The latter conference
was expected to follow Immediately
after that with the workers represen-
tatives.
The workers went to the white
house with their minds apparently
resolute against any arbitration pro-
posal.
The report had spread in Washing
ton that the trainmen's officials were
willing to take arbitration on one con-
dition-that the president himself
should have the deciding voice.
Asked il it were true that the men
would accept arbitration II President
Wilson suggested It, A. B. Garretson,
spokesman for the employees said to-
day:
Eve have refused arbitration and
there is nothing to indicate that we
would accept the suggestion any more
coming from one man than coming
from another"
| Asked II arbitration would be &C.
cepted II President Wilson himself
were to be the arbitrator, Garretson
said:
II have no answer to make to that
question
Both Sides Heard.
| The president arranged to see each
| side alone, first getting the different
points of view and giving his own.
After this, both parties were expected
| to hold secret conferences, later prob
ably meeting with the president to-
gether. At this final meeting 1t
| probably will be determined whether
{, the presidents efforts have succeed
| ed or failed It is believed the con-
| ferences will last throughout the day.
| A man close to Elisha Lee, chair
man of the railway managers. spoke
pessimistically of the outlook, despite
| the presidents Intervention.
| I'VE are asked to call at the white
| house. and that you know is equiv
alsnt TO an order" he said. we
have no reason now to change our
attitude. The men have refused to
do anything and the failure to get to-
| gether is a result of this refusal
Are you all ready for a striker
he was asked.
White Lead on Engines.
I'VE are ready" he answered, but
no two railway managers agree as TO
what course to pursue. Some OF US
favor putting white lead ON the
| engines and storing them away. II
Ia a question whether we are suftl'
GENTLY ready to prevent a paralysis
Of business"
Asked directly il the situation ap-
peared pessimistic, the speaker re-
Piled:
well, the men are talking strike
pretty strongly today"
The speaker said the managers are
willing to submit to outside ad1udlca-
| ton. though he did not appear nope
| f,Il that the president would offer
ANYTHING TO avert trouble.
| introduced to President.
| Judge Chambers of the mediation
board carried the invitation to the
I. hrotherhood officials at the National