The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-08-26
RAILWAY PRESIDENTS PARTLY
YIELD
TRAINMEN AGREEABLE TO PRESIDENT
WILSON'S PLAN, BUT INPATIENT AT
DELAY

DELAY
At present writing, the impression pre-
walls, that a general railway strike has
been averted. Washington reports indi-
cate that the railroad presidents have
partly yielded and that President Wilson
has gained his points in a measure. The
situation is far from solved, but busi-
ness men hope that a way out will be
found, and that transportation will not
be disturbed.
The railroad chiefs are said to be will
ing to grant the establishment of basic
eight hour day with the understanding
that the carriers shall be granted an
advance of freight rates sufficient to
offset the increase of wages allowed the
trainmen.
The executives are also willing to ac-
cept the Presidents plan for investiga-
tion of overtime compensation with the
understanding that legislation be enact
ed to promote the settlement of future
disputes by arbitration, instead of by
force.
Reports indicate that the employees
committee is showing marked signs of
unrest at the delay in the negotiations
between President Wilson and the rail
way executives, and no one can say
what turn events might take within a
few hours.
On August 18th, it became apparent
that the union leaders were willing to
accept the Presidents plan. The rail-
way chiefs, however, seemed infexible
in their demand that the whole question
be submitted to arbitration, which the
brotherhoods had refused to recognize
At this stage of the controversy, Presi-
dent Wilson told the railroad presidents
that the United States appeared to be
drifting toward government ownership
of railways, to which he was personally
opposed and that he considered this
drift of sentiment would be aggravated
by national railroad strike. Some re-
garded his statement as sensational, but
there is reason to believe that the major
ity gave it serious consideration.
The business element of the country
has been greatly perturbed over the
manner in which President Wilson has
taken the controversy entirely into his
own hands, fearing that the principle of
arbitration is at stake.
On August 20, George Pope, president
of the National Association of Manufac-
turers wired President Wilson, urging
that this principle be maintained for la
Dor disputes.
The President replied:
'Allow me to say in reply that I hold
to the principle of arbitration with as
clear conviction and as firm a purpose
as any one, but that unfortunately there
is no means now in existence by which
arbitration can be secured. The exist
ing means have been tried and failed.
"This situation must never be allowed
to arise again, but it has arisen. Some
means must be found to prevent it's re-
currence, but no means can be found off
hand, or in a hurry, or in season to meet
the present national emergency.
"What | am proposing does not
weaken or discredit the principle of ar
bitration. It strengthens it, rather"
An editorial in the Chicago Tribune
says: "President Wilson has involved
himself in the greatest responsibility
any president ever has assumed in an
industrial dispute. It is responsibility
for consequences which are likely to be
felt by the whole country for many years
to come"
1t is safe to say that there is not a
man, woman, or child in the United
States who would not be effected by a
nationwide railroad strike To sudden
ly suspend railway transportation
throughout the country would have the
same effect as stopping the circulation
of blood in body. The railway sys-
tems in this advanced age, are the veins /
and arteries of the nation. Should their |
service cease, the industrial life of the
country would Immediately come to a
standstill
To vast numbers, such an event |
would be a veritable tragedy. 1t would /
mean factories closed and multitudes
thrown out of employment. 1t would /
mean women and children, in the large
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