South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-08-14
tied by arbitrator.

Pres't Wilson. il was reported,
made it plain TO the brotherhood
representatives that he could not be
the single arbitrator, or the odd"
man in board OF arbitration. How
ever, he suggested certain names Of
men that could be brought into the
plan. and the brotherhood members.
according to the cabinet members.
listened kindly" TO this suggestion.
Can't Sanction Strike.
Ii Is understood that at the con-
ference with the brotherhood repre-
sentatives the president was told
that they had been compelled TO re-
fuse arbitration under the terms sug-
gested by the federal board of con-
Citation because they did not be-
Eeve that the board realized the i'm
portance of their demands The
president it was definitely learned.
insisted that under no circumstances
Will the public sanction a strike. He
is underst God to have made it plain
that in his opinion if a strike was
precipitated through the refusal of
the labor leaders to treat with the
roads. the unions would be blamed
and the labor cause would suffer.
In reply the union leaders insisted
that they had received scant cour-
tesy at the hands Of the railway
mana gers, who had insisted on me-
diatiOn without making any propo-
sition OF what concessions they
would be willing to make TO bring
-
Is underst God. insisted in reply that
he had no opinion regarding the
merits of the controversy: that he
intended making il plain to the rail
way managers that their responsible
ity before the public was equally
great with their employees. but that
he was determined to prevent a
strike at any cost
Declines to Talk.
on leaving the conference Pres't
Garretson of the conductors. said:
We cannot talk now. Anything
we might say, of whatever nature,
might seriously embarrass the presi-
dent at this time"
Asked point blank whether they
rad not agreed upon a proposition
which the president was TO submit 10
the railway managers. the labor
spokesman replied:
"On that point you must ask the
president"
The white house was extremely
reticent regarding the details Of the
conference. Sec'y Tumulty said that
nothing could be said until after the
conferences We're completed.
Before going TO the white house 70
confer with the president at
o'clock. the railroad managers held
a long conference in their hotel A
statement of the side of the railways
was prepared and il was agreed that
il should be read 10 the chief execu-
tive by Elisha Lee, chairman of the
board Of managers Like the Ia Dor
leaders the managers seemed hope
full that a strike would be prevented.
Chambers il Optimistic.
Reports that the men mad asked
the president 10 act as arbitrator in
person were widely circulated. No
official statement on this report or
on another that three members Of
the cabinet might he asked 10 act
could be obtained from any Of the
interested parties.
Judge Chambers or the mediation
board who acted as the spokesman
OF the president in arranging the
conferences, was optimistic in his
belief that an agreement would %
reached that would prevent a gen
eral strike.
1T may take time. but "a basis OF
settlement will be reached am
confident" he said.
Gets Report of Situation.
The president received a complete
report OF the exact situation through
Secy TumIity almost before he was
out OF bed This report had been
compiled by ". /. Chambers. one %
the fedora mediators. and was
complete record OF all Of the deyei-