Evening star., 1916-08-09
BROTHERHOODS REFUSE
TO JOIN IN APPEAL
Agree to Peaceful Settlement, How.
ever, When Requested Later
: to Do So.
PROMPT ACTION IS DESIRED
Pointed Out That Previous Attempts
to Adjust Differences Had
Not Been Satisfactory
to Workers.


NEW YORK, August e-The
threatened strike of the 400, 900
railway employees of the United
States was averted today when
the railroad brotherhoods ac-
cepted a proffer of the United
States board of mediation and
Cancellation to mediate their diff
ferences with the railroads.
Announcement of the accept
ance of the offer was made by
A. B. Garretson, head of the
conductors brotherhood, after it
had been delivered by 6. w. w.
Hanger, a member Of. the board,
following an appeal to that body
to intervene, made today by the
national conference of railroad
managers.
Mr.. Garretson said he had in
formed the board that the offer
was accepted on the condition
that ~its good Offices are prompt
y exercised"
After the delivery Of the brother
hoods aeceptanes Of the offer the fed
srsI board. the msdiators. made ar
rangements to confer with the rail-
road managers this afternoon
Ready to Act at Once.
The federal board. which is composed
Of Mr. Hanger. Martin A. Knapp and
Judge W. l. Chambers. was prepared to
begin conferences with the respective
sides to the controversy before night.
1t was understood. although at the time
of Mr.. Garretson's announcement the
board had not been officially informed
of the acceptance
THE federal board Of mediation and
conciliation has notified u.s." read Mr..
Garretson's statement. that IL has re-
ceived the request of the managers
conference committee to exercise its
about an amicable settlement of the
questions that exist between the con-
ference committee of the managers and
ourselves. Our answer was to the ef-
ators' proner of their friendly Offices
provided II was promptly exercised
The procedure Of the federal board Is
TO meet each side separately, learn
their attitudes and attempt to obtain
concessions from each as a basis on
which a settlement can be reached
when they are again brought together.
Reject Mems Demands.
The national conference of railroad
managers today rejected the mems de-
mands and proposed that they be me-
dated by the federal tribunal The
brotherhoods refusing to join in an ap-
peal to the tribunal. the railroads made
an individual appeal The federal
board, which is in session here, then Of
fered its services to the brotherhoods
and were at noon awaiting their re-
ply. The indications were at this time
that the reply would be favorable.
See No Other Way Out.
Elisha Lee. chairman Of the railroad
conference. in proposing that their differ
ences be mediated by the federal board
directed attention to the fact that the
brotherhoods had previously declined ar
bitration under the Newlands act. pro-
yiding for six arbitrators. but that the
railroads saw no other way out Of their
differences than through mediation.
Mr- GaTetson, reiterating the contention
ternpts TO settle differences with the rail-
roads through the federal boards the
brotherhoods had failed to obtain salts
factory awards. said that the unions be-
heved they could reach a settlement by
dealing directly with the roads
II believe" he said. settlement Of our
differences can be much better attained
by dealing directly with you without the
Interference Of a third party
Will Reply to Board.
Chairman Lee then annaunced that he
would nevertheless appeal to the fed
eral board OF mediation and concilia-
tion This board was at this time in
session at a nearby hotel. Mr.. Lees
announcement came after Mr.. Garrett
son had expressed his willingness to
have the railroads make the appeal In
that event. he said, the unions could
make reply as to their attitude to the
federal board This reply. Mr.. Garrett
son indicated after adjournment of the
Meantime IL was stated the board
would remain in session to await the
brotherhoods' reply.
Refused to Join in Plea.
Both sides. after adjournment. went
into executive session.
Mr.. Garretson explained TO newspa-
per men that the unions had not de-
clined mediation unequivocally, but
had refused to Join with the railroads
in asking for It. because they did no,
believe in it at this time. The brother
hoods chief. together with his col
league. Warren s. Stone. reiterated
that their position was that they had
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