Evening star., 1916-08-14
Brotherhoods Prepare to Halt
Every Passenger and
Freight Train.
HEADQUARTERS NEW YORK
IF MEN ARE CALLED OUT
Labor Leaders Blame Operators for
Rejection of Arbitration-Media-
tors Contradict Their Al
legations.

Wilson falls to persuade the RAILROAD
men and their employers to settle their
differences and a general strike ID
Quarters In this city.
This announcement was made today.
after the leaders Of the four big rail-
way brotherhoods and the railroad
managers started for Washington for
ia conference with the head Of the
nation.
At brotherhood headquarters 1t was
said that all preparations had been
| made for putting into effect a strike
that would stop every passenger and
freight train on the 225 railway sys-
TENS Of the United States. The critical
state OF Affairs was indicated by the
anxiety displayed in every big industry
which would be crippled by the failure
of transportation.
Only Hope Is in President.
Unless the President can find a road
out it means strike" said A. B. Gar
retson, president Order ~of Railway
Trainmen, official spokesman Of the en-
ployes, as he boarded the train for
Washington at midnight.
Elisha Lee, chairman of the confer
ence committee of railroad managers.
who. with the eighteen members Of his
committee, went to Washington on the
same train that carried the thirty rep
| resentatives of the brotherhood dele
gates. placed responsibility upon the
men for the failure of attempts at
mediation.
Mr. Garretson said that the unbending
attitude Of the railway managers was
to blame for the break.
The conference committee of the
railways and the leaders of the four
brotherhoods went to washington IN
answer to summons from the White
House brought here last night by Jo-
seph P. Tumulty. the Presidents Sec
retary. President Wilson. in his let
ter, pointed out that general strike
at this time might have a disastrous
effect upon the country. and said:
Il feel that I have the right, there
| fore. to request. and do hereby re-
quest, as the head of the government.
that before any final decision Is arrived
at I may hsve a personal conference
with you here"
Negotiations had not been broken
of when Mr.. Tumulty left Washington.
When he reached Philadelphia he re-
ceived telegram from ". l. Cham
bers. one OF the mediators. informing
him that the men had declined to ar
| bitrate. Mr. Tumulty's first step after
reaching New York was to call Presi-
dent Wilson on the long distance phone
| to decide upon an hour for the con-
ference at the White House today.
Text Of Presidents Message.
Secretary Tumulty gave out last
night the following message from
President Wilson to the chairman Of
| the conference committee Of managers
and to the heads OF the four railway
brotherhoods:
II have learned with surprise and
with kesn disappointment that an agree
| fment concerning the settlement of the
matters ifi controversy between the
| railways and their employees has proved
! Impossible.
"A general strike on the railways
would at any time have a most far
reaching and injurious effect on the
country. At this time the effect might
| be disastrous I feel that 1 have the
right. therefore. to request, and I do
hereby request, as the head Of the gov
eminent, that before any final decision
is arrived at may have a personal
conference with you here. I shall hold
you may be able to reach Washington" "
President Wilson told Mr.. Tumulty
| over the telephone that he would can
eel all engagements to discuss the sit
uation.
Mr.. Tumulty telephoned to W. L.
Chambers. commissioner of the media
tion board, and arranged to 60 back
to Washington at midnight with the
%s1 have io,a oesr Hr mssranE hers Mr
telegraphed details Of the situation to
Mr.. Wilson.
Mr.. Tumulty. Commissioner Cham
bers. thirty-four representatives OF the
brotherhoods and nineteen railroad
managers left for Washington at mid
night.
Mr.. Tumulty said the President noti-
fed the mediators hve days ago that
they were authorised to bring to the
attention Of the executives Of the broth
erhoods the fact that he was anxious
for the two sides to agree. and that
IL they did not he personally would
take q hand. This. Mr.. Tumuity said
this mediators had described the acute
1 ness Of the situation.
Mems Statement contradacted.
The break came late yesterday after
the men had been in secret session
nearly six hours. The mon assert they
refused arbitration because the rail-
roads insisted on arbitrating their
contingent proposition" The board
Of mediators declared. however. the
men rejected their proposition. contend
ing that they would mot arbitrate even
II the railroads waived the contingent
proposition.
The statement of the mediators, issued
by Judge Martin A. Knapp, chairman
OF the board, just before their de-
parture for Washington. follows:
After repeated efforts to bring about
| an arbitration of the pending con-
troversy between the railroads and
their employees in train and yard serv-
ice. the United States board of media
tion and conciliation was today advised
by the representatives OF the employees
that they would not submit the matters
in dispute to arbitration in any form
The employees. further stated to the
board that they would not arbitrate
their own demands even IL the con-
tingent demands of the railroads were
withdrawn, and also declined to sug-
gest any other plan or method for a
peaceful settlement of the contro-
versy.
They we're informed that their de-
President Wilson. and also that the
President claimed the right to a per-
Sonal interview with both partfes be-
fore any drastic/action was taken. This
request was, OF course. granted. and q
large delegation OF employees, with q
number of railroad managers. will be
In Warrington Monday for q confer
ence with the President.
EARLY In the negotiations the rail-
ton and Cancellation that they would
accept arbitration
/ Obiactions to ArbitrAt tion