The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-08-20

members until Monday. Some Of
them, he thought, might desire tc
leave Washington over Sunday, and
he did not wish TO hold them here
unnecessarily. Tonight they arc leav'
ing town for nearby resorts by scores
W. G. Lee left for his home in
Cleveland and will return Tuesday
The other heads Of the brotherhood
said they would spend tomorrow
quietly and see no one before even
ing. They intImated that they might
make a formal reply to the railroad
managers statement at that time
They would not comment on II to-
night.
The brotherhood men have made
no complaint over the length OF time
they have had to remain here, and
their leaders predicted tonight that
they would be willing to stay another
/ week il it seemed necessary. None
of the leaders thought the negotia-
1 tions would last that long. They ex-
pect a climax in the situation Monday
or Tuesday when the other railroad
president arrive.
Call on Congressman.
Many of the brotherhood men call
ed on their representatives in Con-
gross today and protested in advance
against any compulsory arbitration
bills which might be introduced. The
men are fearful that the railroads
may try to put through such bill
There is only one bill that the
brotherhood men are anxious to see
come out Of the present agitation.
That would be measure to empower
the government in case Of strike TO
oporate the railroads with the pres
cnt crews on an eight-hour basis
pending settlement Of the differ
cnces between the railroads and their
employees. One Of the leaders
guessed" today that such bill
would be introduced in case Of a
strike. He said he thought n meas
urc of that character already pre-
pared for Introduction might be
found somewhere now.
Strike Would he Short.
Among the railway executives the
claim was made tonight that strike
could be broken within week. 1t
was declared the idea that the Coun-
try's commerce would be stopped i'm
mcdiately was entirely wrong. Atten-
ton was called to the fact that a
large number OF railway employees
voted against n strike and It was
claimed that many cast an asserting
vote upon the understanding that no
strike actually would be called,
The claim was made that In case
OF a strike many Of the old engin-
GERS would refuse 10 go out, and that
with these men the railways would be
able to continue operation Of trains.
Some time ago the arrangements
were said to have called for volun-
tecrs to serve in the event of walk
out Many responses were received.
II was asserted, from among the
100000 men in shop service, engaged
in building and repairing locomotives
and who are familiar with their op-
GRAFTON. A great number OF men
would be needed, It was said, highly
trained workers not being needed to
fill positions as trainmen. Some rail-
road officials believe that as many as
five or twenty per cent, a normal
number of employees, would be avail
able for service. enough to guarantee
the movement OF all necessary
freight.
All shitments for export would,
thew concede PROBABLY cease imme-
diatelv including shipments OF war
munitions.
These claims all are denied vehe-
montIv by the brotherhood men, who
contend they have so firm grasp on
the situation that they could bring
the roads speedily to terms, should a
strike be called.
Supplemental Statement.
A supplemental statement regard
ing the cigbt-hour day directed par
ticplarlv at President Wilson'S CON
tontion that some southern roads al
ready have adopted the eight-hour
day without disastrous effect. was is
sued tonight by the railroad officials.
II nointed out that most of the men
working on an eight-hour basis are
employed in moving fast freight, for
which freight rates are high.
Some Of the roads in the South
west now have the eight-hour basis
day but affecting through freight
service only and including less than
fifty per cent Of the men in freight
service" said the statement, "All
men in yard service and running To-
cal freights and mine runs are on the
tcn-hour basis, while on many branch
lines ten and twelve hour basis days
prevail.
"These roads are the Seaboard Air
Line, the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac, Norfolk Southern, At
lantic Coast Line, Central OF Geor-
gia. Georgia Southern and Florida,
Florida East Coast and Queen and
Crescent lines south, all Of them
roads with a high percentage of per-
ishable traffic such as fruits and veg
etables. which must be moved at a
high rate Of speed in order to reach
markets in good condition and which
for that reason carry freight rates
which no shipper could afford TO pay
for the movement Of ordinary freight.
Several Exceptions.
ION some of the largest and most
important railroads in the South the
elght-hour basis day Is not in effect