The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-08-17
; PRESIDENTS REQUEST FOR
CONFERENCE

+ 81 have learned with surprise !.
+ and with keen disappointment i.
= that an agreement concerning -
= the settlement of the matters in =
= controversy between the rail- =
= roads and their employees has =
= proved fruitless. !.
= "A general strike OF the rail- =
+ roads would at any time have a -
= most far reaching and injurious -
+ effect on the country. At this i.
= time the effect might be disas- +
= trous. feel that l have the !.
= right. therefore, to request, and =
+ do hereby request. as head OF :.
= the government, that before any =
= final decision is arrived at may :.
- nave a personal conference with =
= you here. / shall hold myself :.
= ready to meet you at any time !.
: you may be able to reach Wash =
= ington." I.
= = = = = ). = !. = = !. !. i. 4. + :. !. !. !.
an S-hour day and time and a half
for overtime. The controversy was
laid before the President at his in
rejected any form of arbitration.
They refused mediation.
Soon after accepting the Presi-
dents summons, extended through
the Federal Board of Mediation and
Cancellation, the men announced that
the leaders OF the four brotherhoods
would leave for Washington. accom-
panied by 80 of the 600 delegates
An hour later the railroad managers,
10 in number. said they would leave
for the capital at the same time.
The statement OF the mediators,
Issued by Judge Martin A. Knapp,
chairman of the board, just before
their departure for Washington fol-
lows .
After repeated efforts to bring
about an arbitration Of the pending
controversy between the railroads
and their employees in train and yard
service, the United States Board OF
vised by the representatives of the
employees that they would not sub
NIT the matters in dispute to arbi.
tration in any form.
The employees further stated to
the board that they would not arbi--
trate their own demands even IL the
contingent demands of the railroads
were withdrawn, and also declined to
suggest any other plan or method
for a peaceful settlement OF the con-
troversy.
They were informed that their
decision would be at once made
known to President Wilson, and also
that the President claimed the right
to a personal interview with both
parties before any drastic action was
taken. This request was, OF course.
granted.
Early in the negotiations the
railroads informed the board that
they would accept arbitration"
Congress May Act.
Washington - II the President
should fail TO persuade the railroad
disputants TO submit their differences
to arbitrations II is likely that hs
will go before Congress and recon-
mend the passage OF emergency leg
lslation. 10 Is learned that both the
department of justice and the post
office department, I'm addition 20
Congress. would take definite action.
The government II was said au.
thoritativoly. will not tolerate So
rious dislocation OF the mails trans.
portation service. There are two
laws under which the government
might bring action TO compel the Op
Grafton OF mail trains. II would be
necessary for every railway I'm the
country which transports mails "a
operate from one to so trains daily
for the carriage OF mails.
The FIRST statute under which the
administration might institute pro
ceedings is that prohibiting inter
ference with the mails.
The second law is the cOnspiracy
section of the federal statutes. The
penalties under this section are two
ysars' imprisonment or a fine OF $40.
O0O or both in the discretion OF th,
court
Arbitration Plan.
The arbitration plan contemplatet
a new board Of ~ members-fou
from the brothorhoods. four from th'
managers of the roads. and four &,
be chosen Jointly No sooner wos 8
made known 20 the trainmon that thi
was satisfactory TO the managers thai