The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-30


or TO call for reconsideration on their
own merits, the men absolutely de-
clined arbitration. especially II any
of their established privileges were by
that means to be drawn again In ques-
ton The law in the matter puts no
/ compulsiou upon them The four
hundred thousand men from whom
the demands proceeded had voted to
strike II their demands were refused
/ the strike was imminent; II has since
been set for the Attn OF Septem Der
next 1t affects the men who man
the freight trains on practically every
railway in the country.
Would Cripple Freight Service.
The freight service throughout tho
Inited States must stand still until
their places are filled IT, indeed, 1t
should prove possible to fill them at
all. Cities win be cut OFF from their
food supplies. tho whole commerce Of
the nation will be paralyzed, men OF
every sort and occupation will be
thrown out of employment. countless
thousands will In all likelihood be
brought. It may he. TO the very point
Of starvation, and a. traEical national
calamity brought on, to be added to
tho other distresses of the time, be-
cause no basis OF accommodation or
StltiFUiFll mas bttIl IouI0
INTERVIEWED In Interest Of Nation.
just as soon as 1t became evident
that mediation under the existing law
had failed and that arbitration had
been rendered impossible by the at
titude Of the men, ! considered II my
duty TO confer with the representa-
tives of both the railways and the
hrotherhoods, and myself OFFER medi-
alton. not as an arbitrator. but mere
ly as spokesman of the nation. In the
interest of Justice. indeed, and a. a
friend OF both parties. but not as
Judge only as the representative Of
one hundred millions OF men, women
and children who would pay the
price. the incalculabfe price. OF loss
and suffering should these few men
insist upon approaching and conclud-
ing the matters In controversy be-
tween them merely as employers and
employees, rather than as patriotic
citizens of the United States looking
before and after accepting the larger
responsibility which the public would
put upon them.
For Eight Hour Day.
TT seemed to me. in considering
The subject matter of the controversy
that the whole spirit OF the time and
the preponderant evidence OF recent
economic experience spoke for the
eight-hour day.
1T has been adjudged by the
thought and experience OF recent
years a thing upon which society is
justified IN insisting as in the interest
Of health. efficiency contentment and
general increase of economic vigor.
The whole presumption OF modern
experience would. It seemed 10 me, be
In It's favor, whether there was arbi-
tration or not. and the debatable
points 10 settle were those which arose
out Of the acceptance OF the eight
hour day rather than those which af-
feCtef it, establishment
Railways Rejected Plan.
The representatives OF the broth
erhoods accepted the plan; but the
representatives of the railroads de-
what cannot hut regard as the
practical certainty that they will be
ultimately obliged to accept The
eight hour day by the concerted
action OF organized labor, backed by
the favorable Judgment or society. the
representatives Of the railway man
agement have felt justified in dcclin-
ing n peaceful settlement which would
engage all the forces Of justice. pub
lie and private on their side to take
care OF the event
Influence Of Shippers Feared.
They fear the hostile influence OF
shippers. who would be opposed 10
an increase Of freight rates (for
which. however, Of course, the purSfc
itself would pay; they apparently
feel no. confidence that the Interstate
Commerce Commission could with
stand the, objections that would he
made. They 40 not care TO rely upon
the friendly assurancss OF the Con-
eress or the President They have
thought II best that they should he
forced to yield. II they must Yield