The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-18
BrOtherhOOds, Complete vote
After Heated Session.
81 Rail Presidents Confer with
Nations Executive.
THEY REFUSE PROPOSITION
Stand by Managers Decision to
Have Arbitration.
Danger of Wide Strike
Is Impending.

Washington, Aug. 18.-A ma
ton wide strike, tying up all rail-
roads of the country again
loomed up this afternoon. Thir-
ty-one railway presidents left
the White House determined
they said, not to accept a pro-
posal by President Wilson in
tended to avert such a national
calamity"
Fifteen minutes later the GAO
representatives of the railroad
workers announced they had
voted to accept the presidents
proposal.
Conference Lasts Forty Minutes
After a forty minute conference the
thirty-one presidents emerged with
the announcement that the president
will meet them again tomorrow and
at the same time see the railway man
agers in what he promised TO be the
final session.
President Hale Holden of the Bur-
lington road. spokesman for the exec
utives said they would at once confer
with the managers and arrive at some
conclusion on the presidents PROPOSE
ton. They will lay this conclusion be-
fore him tomorrow morning, Holden
said That the situation has reached
the most dangerous stage was obvious,
in view of the attitude of the execu-
tives as they left the White House.
They indicated, however, that they
had not changed their minds-made
up against the presidents proposals.
and it is believed they will stand firm
on their contention for arbitration of
all the issues
Hale Holden Spokesman
The $40 representatives of the 400,-
600 railway employees completed their
secret ballot on the presidents plan
at 1:45 this afternoon. Formal an
nouncement of the result was withheld
until 2:3O, but the tellers hinted that
the men had accepted the plan Be
fore the balloting began, presidents
of the four railway brotherhoods. sent
to the White House request that
President Wilson modify his plan of
settlement to provide some means of
enforcing the eight hour scheme No
reply had been received when the bal
loting began, and the vote was on the
presidents original proposals.
Hale Holden, president of the Burl-
ington. was spokesman for the rail-
road presidents who appeared before
the president this afternoon. He was
chosen because he was a lawyer and
an effective speaker. The fact that he
is from the west. and was therefore
regarded as immune from Wall street
influence. also entered into the choice.
Rail Presidents Were ''Sot.''
The railway presidents appeared set
in their determination not to concede
the eight-hour day and allow the ques-
tion of overtime to be investigated.
The attitude of the majority of the
presidents was that the whole ques-
ton should be arbitrated.
Wilson Meets Presidents.
President Wilson was in the Green
Room. one of the reception rooms
when the railroad executives arrived.
Holden presented each of his COL
leagues to the president as they en-
tered the room. After shaking hands
with all of them. President Wilson in
dicated he was ready for the confer
ence to begin
Holden opened the session by stat
ing the railroad executives approved
IN full everything done by the railroad
managers, in whom they had vested
the power of attorney.
Fighting for Arbitration
He said the railways felt in the pres
ent situation that they were fighting
for the principle of arbitration which
he said was the only remaining pro-
Le'lOnH not only Tor railroads, but for
all the othet Industries of the coun-
try. against the wilful aggressions of
labor
The railroad executives were rein
forced by hundreds of letters and teIe-
grams from big manufacturers and
employers. urging them not to yield
the right and justice of arbitration -
The employees have made it known
that they will not recede from their
position beyond the points conceded
at President Wilson's request ANY
concessions made now, it was de-
clared, must come from the operators.
Will Not Accept.
The railroad presidents indicated al
most uniformly that when they give
their final answer to the president il
VIII not be an acceptance of his propo-
sltlon- steps have already been taker
to continue the operation of their rail.
roads, in the event of strike, one of
ficial said this afternoon
Employees of the roads it was stat
eG, have been canvassed and conf
dence was expressed that MANY OF
the men will remain loyal The news
that the general committees ballot
iEg had resulted in acceptance Of the
presidents suggestion was carried tc
the White House by President Garret-
sen OF the conductors and President
Lee of the trainmen