The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-17
WANT HIM ON BOARD

and Trainmen Will Get To-
gether- Outcome Of His Ef-
forts May Be Known This
Afternoon.
Washington, d. c., Aug. IL
Late this afternoon 1t was said In
nigh quarters that the outlook was
slrong to avert railroad strike IS
ana peaceful adjustment was prob
able. { Il 81
washington. Aug. 15.-Prospects for
averting a nationwide railway strike or
at least for the formulation Of aome
tentative program which will be the
ground work for further negotiations
frightened today after President VIII
son mad conferred with 35 chiefs OF the
great brotherhoods [ q
the conference the brotherhood
men declared the presidents grasp of
the situation and the position Of the
men might result in an understanding
ana others In touch, said the represen 81
tatiVes OF the men showed a disposition
TO cooperate to avoid strike.
After hearing the leaders OF the men
LOT Two hours the president sent for the
managers for q conference at o'clock
this afternoon A
ohortly after President Wilson en-
tered into conference TODAY with ranra
sentatives OF the railroad brotherhnnda
~ was learned in a high quarter close
10 the brotherhoods that arbitration
was propab!e on the basis Of with
uraWal OF the compromise proposal OF
| .ration ~ - ~
mere were suggestions purely infor-
MAJ, eminating from sources In touch
with both sides, that the men were re-
gard1ng the possibility Of arbitration
with the president himself as chief arhi-
traitor. 90 ~
Inc brotherhood men went into con
ference flrm In their determination not
10 accept an arbitration under the
NeWiands act, which they contend has
almays furnished arbitrators before.
whom the men did not have an I'm
pre1udlced opportunity.
May Offer New Plan.
Ihere were some indications that the
president, recognizing that view might
propose special arbitration before a
poard OF IL members on which the four,
resented W
The presidents plan was to appea1
70 managers and men on the highest
patrlot1c grounds to find way to COM
pose their differences without a strike,
ne managers went to one hotel and
the brotherhood leaders went to rnS
olher TO await the call from the White
house, when the federal mediators set
ABOUT arranging the conference, 1t was
decided the president should see the
contestants not together but one side
at tlme to get a clearer idea of the
respective positions
Inc 1lrst developments of the day
was declaration by A. r. Garretson
speaking FOR the brotherhoods, that the
ien were through with the proposition
OF arbitration under the Newland's act.
PREVIOUS arbitrations under that law.
he reiterated, had demonstrated the
neutral arbitrator held the balance Of
power. He declared that any special
arbitration into which the men MIGHT
agree to enter would have to make pro-
vision for an extension of those arbitra-
tors to give the men what they consider
a fair chance.
The presidents conference with the
men was opened with statement by
A. b. Garretson of the conductors. as
spokesman. He outlined the demands
for an eight-hour day and time and a
half for overtime. He insisted that the
demands were fair.
Wilson Makes Appeal.
President Wilson tlsen addressed the
men, pointing out what disaster would
follow general strike and asking the
J specific things on which the employees
We're 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 prepared
} to remain III continuous conference all
day, If necessary. The conference was
held III the green room Of the White
| House.
After being with the president two
! hours, the representatives of the men
left the White House and Mr.. Garrett
son said they expected to see the presi-
dent again later in the day after he had
conferred with the managers Mr..
Garretson refused to saw whether the
outlook was hopeful.
LAS long IS the matter is in Presi-
. dent Wilson'S hands we Will have no
statement to make said Mr.. Garrett
son.
The president Immediately sent for
the managers to lay before them the
, position of the workmen.
Meets Managers Next.
] 1t was arranged that the managers
should see the president at 3 o'clock
this afternoon and that meanwhile the
, president would keep enc or two other
important engagements, including one
with Mr.. Chambers, of the federal
board.
: At the White House, it was said no
indications could be given of the
progress of the negotiations until the
! president saw the managers.
one OF the leaders of the four
brotherhoods, after leaving the White
House characterized the conference
with the president "as most encourag-
: ing" and declared, the outlook for the
! prevention Of a general strike was
r hopeful" -..S. q
f Mr.. Garretson, asked whether tbs ne
e golations We're off, replied, 'abso-
4 Ilutely not -
!. Administration officials expressed
: confidence that the presidents inter-
vention would result in averting a
strike.
The president, according to those
d who attended the conference. showed
: 4 familiarity with the situation that
n surprised the men.