New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-10
4 Great BrOtherhOOdS
Accept Federal Com
missions Offices.
UNIONS PRESENT
SIDE TO-DAY
Road Managers Take IN
itiative Toward Settling
Nationwide Dispute.

The menace Of a general railroad
strike loomed less darkly yesterday
The four great railway brotherhoods,
representing the 100000 disconnected
trainmen, accepted the Offices Of the
Federal Mediation Commission and the
hope that the strike may be averted
made progress, though with some DIM
Guilty. Wall Street took heart, and
stocks, apathctic of late, made gains.
The railroad managers took the IN
itative. At the behest of a conference
committee of nineteen of their number,
the United States Board of Mediation
and Cancellation approached represen-
tatives of the employees. While the
union leaders were not quick about ac-
ceptine the mediators' offer. they did
accent. This, observers point out, is
the main thing.
Move Made Through Courtesy"
Through courtesy" is the way the
brotherhood officials explain their ac-
ton. This move makes the situation
analogous to the recent street railway
strike. which was successfully medi-
ated by Mayor Mitchell and Oscar s.
Straus. The Federal board will have
no specified powers other than those OF
nersuasion. Neither had Mitchell or
Straus, but, as followers Of the situa'
ton point out, they found way. Ana
if the Federal board cannot find one 1t
may improvise one.
And at any rate-and observers lay
stress on this-the matter is brought
stem closer to the White House. Mem
hers of the mediation body are under
stood to be in New York at the sugges-
ton of President Wilson.
On Tuesday the brotherhoods in
formed the railway committee that "a
per cent of thesr 100000 members had
voted to strike if their demands for
an eight-hour day and day and hall
pay for overtime were not met, ana
that an answer was expected within
twenty-four hours.
In behalf Of the railroads Mr.. Lee
asked until 10 a. m. yesterday TO re-
plv. When that hour came he IN
formed the representatives of the big
four" unions. assembled at the Engi-
neering Societies Building, that II was
impossible 10 grant the concessions. he
urged that the matter be put into the
hands of the federal mediators. lie
also asked the brotherhoods to join
with the railways in this request, but
his proposed was refused by A. B. Car
retson. chairman Of the union confer
ence committee. The action OF Their
chief in refusing to take step tow
ard mediation greatly pleased tn
union men.
Both Leaders Anxious.
The situation was tense while the
leaders of both sides sought 10 mar
monte the situation, Mr. Lee plead
ing for mediation and Mr.: Garretsoh,
quietly but resolutely explaining tnai
the problem could not well De soi'e1
by the agency of thlrd party -.
II was apparent at the close OF the
meeting that if the good offices OF the
FEDERAL mediators were to be used the
reoncst would first have to come from
the operators. Although preferring to
settle their difficulties without outside
assistance, the brotherhood representa-
tives let it be known later that as
"matter of courtesy" .hey would not
reject an invitation from tne fedelsi I
mediators, although they had declined
TO sign the railroad managers letter to
the board.
Before the day was half gone it was
obvious that nearly every, one con
cerned in the great railway labor PROB
lem was leaning toward mediation: The
board, consisting Of Commissioner
william L. Chambers, Assis.ah' sud cS0;r Som
man Martin A. Knapp, was at the Man
haitian Hotel awaiting overtures.
After Mr. Lee had made his request
Continued on page 2, column