The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-08-14
Brotherhood Refuses to Arbi7
trate at all under the New
lands Act.
PRESIDENT HAS 4 PLAN
President Points Out Disaster
of General Strike and Ih,
sistS on an Argument.

NAOl1 l.NN OtNf sA'to'
managers and brotherhood leaders
dead-locked in negotiations wniCh
threaten nationwide railroad strike,
Monday laid their case before fIesl-'
dent Wilson.
First came thirty-fve representa-
tives Of the brotherhoods who con-
ferred with the president shortly after
10 o'clock. They were followed Dy
the committee Of managers.
brotherhood objects.
The brotherhood men went into the
conference firm in their determination
not to accept an arbitration under the
Newlands law which they contend
had always furnished arbitrators, be-
fore whom the men did not have un-
preiudiced opportunity.
There was some indication that the
nresident. recognizing that ylew'
might propose Especial arbitration be-
lore a board Of twelve members on
which the brothcrhoods could be rep
resented.
Presidents Plan.
The presidents plan was to appeal
TO managers and men on the highest
patriotic grounds TO find way to COM
,ose their differences without strike,
The first development OF the day
was a declaration by A. B Garrettson,.
speaking for the brottierhouts, tf1at
the men were through with arbitrating
under the Newlands law. Previous
arbltrations, he said, proved that the
neutral arbitrators held the balance
NJ power. He declared that any Spe-
ciaI arbitration into which the men
might agree to enter would have to
make provisions to give the mon what
they considered a fair chance.
Officially Mr. Garrettson said the
hrothcrhoods had no knowledge OF
Secretary Tumultv's flying trip to
New York nor Of the message he car
Yied from the president.
Chief objection.
''The chief objection to the existing
form OF arbitration on the part Of the
hrotherhoods' said Mr.. Garrettson,
"centers on the difficulty that has
heen experienced in selecting neutral
arbitrators. who could do justice to
the cause Of the men No matter how
honest their intentions they could not
bring to bear on the questions at issue
the disinterestedness necessary The
annointment Of neutral arbitrators in
the past has damned arbitration as
practical proposition in the minds OF
the men.
The presidents conference with the
men was opened by statement by
Mr., Garrettson. He outlined the de-
mands for an eight-hour day and time
and half for overtime, insisting that
they we're fair. President Wilson then
addressed the men pointing out what
disaster would follow a general strike
and insisting that an agreement must
be reached.
Wilson is Anxious.
The president then asked to know
the specific things on which the en-
ployes were prepared to insist. Mr..
Wilson promised to take the demands
up with the managers in an effort to
find a common ground on which the
two sides could meet. He said he
was anxious to settle the difficulty as
quickly as possible and was prepared
to remain in continuous conference all
day II necessary
Large crowds of tourists gathered
on the lawn in front of the White
House to hear the news Of the pro-
ceedings,
Informal Suggestion.
There was some suggestion, purely
Informal, emanating from neither
one side nor the other but from
sources in touch with both, that the
men were regarding the possibility
OF arbitration with the president him
self as chief arbiter.
After being with the president two
hours. the men left the White House
and Mr.. Garrettson said they expect
ed to see the president again later
in the day after he had conferred
with the managers.
"As long as the matter is in Presi-
dent Wilson's hands we will have
no statement to make" he said
The president Immediately sent for
the railroad managers to lay before
them the position of the workmen.
II was arranged they should see thu
president at o'clock Monday after
noon. Meanwhile Mr.. Wilson would
keep one or two other important en-
gagements, including one with Mr.,
Chambers Of the federal board.
May Avert Strike.
OF the White House 1t was said
no indication could be given Of the
progress Of negotiations until after
the president saw the managers, Mr..
Garrettson was asked whether the
negotiations we're off. He replied !:
absolutely not" While no grounds