The Washington herald., 1916-08-13
Railroad Brotherhoods
Reply Today to Offer
Of u. S. to Arbitrate
CBy the international New. Service.

ny the international News servtce.)
New York. Aug. l2.-Mediation of the
demands of the big four brotherhoods and
the counter proposals of the railroads
failed TO-DAY.
Cancellation then proceeded to the next
step under the Newlands act and asked
the brotherhoOds to consider arbitration.
The unions will make their reply to-
morrow. In view of the attitude of the
railroads that their counter proposals
must be included in such arbitration. it
probably will be a refusal.
This will put the matter up to Presi-
dent Wilson. Upon the question of
whether he can persuade the unions to
accept arbitration depends a nationwide
strike. He sent word today that he want
cd to talk with both sides before they
came to a break.
Meanwhile, the railroads are not hiring
strike-breakers. or, I'd any great extent,
are planning 10 run, their trains. In
the event Of a strike they will la up
the trains. protect their property against
damage, and trust that public opinion
and the national authorities will relieve
the situation.
Reply Due Today.
~ 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning. the
mcdis ton board. consisting of Martin A
Knapp. chairman: William l. Chambers,
and c. w. W. Hanger, will give the re-
- A.. r,iY,-,,- ,,,,ogars to uug
=estions for meeting the brotherhoods'
demands and receive the word of the
htg four leaders as to their position.
There seemed no hope tonight for con-
cessions by either side. The unions
might arbitrate if arbitration were limit
cd to their present demands. the eight
hour day. and the punitive ume-and-a-
half overtime.
But the railroads insist that the whole
situation must be taken up. that arbitra-
ton must include the extra compensa-
ton and other special forms OF allow
ence which the unions have won from
time to time under the ten-hour day
basis.
Decline to Arbitrate.
The unions decline to consider arbitrat-
ing what they already have. The rail-
roads say that there are many things
granted at various times by the railroads
under the ten-hour day that would be
unfair to them under the eight-hour day.
This leaves only what President Wilson
may be able to do to save the country
from a gigantic strike. Both sides will
give him chance.
The railway managers are eager to
enlist his good offices: the union leaders
say they consider courtesy requires that
they hear what he has to say But
they say the interests Of the 10000 mem-
bers of the brotherhood are paramount
with them to the Presidents desire.
VIII Not Run Trains.
There will not be much effort. in case
Of a strike. to keep trains going with
strike breakers Men who could take
the brotherhood members places cannot
be found.
When the conferences between the rail-
way managers and the brotherhoods
broke up in June and the big four chiefs
called for a strike vote, some Of the
railroads started to organize their non
union employees with the idea of put
ting them in the places Of the men VINO
were expected to strike.
The Pennsylvania, in the East, was con-
spicuous in this effort, but the problem
was too great.
The unions charged that the roads
sought aged pensioned employees in old
mems homes and such places and tried
to enroll them for strike service.
Both sides hope that prospect of long
tie-up will force public opinion and the
authorities to do something to end the
threatened strike.