Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-15
President Confers With the
brotherhood Leaders at
the White House
MANAGERS ALSO
TALK TO EXECUTIVE
Effort Made to Find Some
Common Ground on Which
the Factions Can Agree

= Washington, D. c., Aug. 14.-Rall-
road managers and brotherhood lead
ers, deadlocked in negotiations which
threaten q nation wide railroad strike,
today laid their case before President
Wilson.
First came thirty-five representa-
tives of the brotherhoods who confer
red with the president shortly after
10 O'clock. They were followed by the
committee of managers.
The brotherhood men went into the
conference firm in their determination
not to accept an arbitration under the
Newlands act.
There were some indications that
the president might propose special
arbitration board of twelve members,
on which the four great brotherhoods
could be represented.
The presidents plan was to appeal
to managers and men on the highest
patriotic grounds to find way to COM
pose their differences without a strike.
The presidents conference with the
men was opened with statement by
A. B. Garretson Of the conductors, as
spokesmen. He outlined the demands
for an eight hour day and time and a
half for overtime. He insisted that
the demands were fair. President Will
son then addressed the men, pointing
out what disaster would follow gen.
eral strike and insisting that an agree
ment must be reached.
Gets Specific Demands.
The president then asked to know
the specific things on which the en-
ployes were prepared to insist. Mr..
Garretson did most of the talking for
the men and he and the president dis
cussed the Situation thoroughly. Mr..
Wilson promised to take the demands
up with the managers in an effort to
find q common ground on which the
two sides could meet. He said he was
anxious to settle the difficulty as quick
" az possible and was prepared to re-
main in continuous conference all day
Il necessary. ~
The conference was held in the
green room Of the white house. Large
crowds of tourists gathered on the
lawn in front of the white house to
hear news of the proceedings.
Chiefs To Call Again. .E
After being with the president two
hours, the representatives Of the men
left the white house and Mr., Garretson
said they expected to see the president
again later in the day after he had con-
ferred with the managers. Mr.. Gar,
retson refused to say whether the out
look was hopeful. IT.
"As long as the matter Is in Presi-
dent Wilson's hands we will have no
statement to make" said Mr.. Garrett
son. .4
Mr.. Garretson was asked whether
the negotiations we're off. He replied:
Absolutely not" .... I
One Of the leaders Of the four broth
erhoods after leaving the white house
characterized the conference with the
declared 'the outlook for the preven-
ton OF general strike was hopeful"
i was arranged that the managers
should see the president at o'clock
this afternoon and that meanwhile the
president would keep one or two other
important engagements, including one
with Mr.. Chambers of the federal
board.
At the white house 1t was said no
indication could be given Of the pro-
greSS or the negOClatlOnS unLll Inc
president saw the managers.
Hope. for Peace.
~The president was most sympathe.
tic," said one Of the brotherhood lead
ers. "and his surprising knowledge OF
the situation and of our position may
result in an understanding being reach
ed"
The president, it was said, submitted
no counter proposition to the men but
he held out hope for an adjustment by
legislation, If necessary.
The impression prevailed among the
brotherhood leaders that as a last re-
sort the president might ask congress
for eight hour day legislation.
The leaders explained to the presi-
dent their stand against arbitration by
saying that they were carrying out the
wishes of the 600 delegates who sat
with them at their meeting with the
federal mediators.
The brotherhood leaders presented
to the president detailed reports OF
the vote cast in favor Of general
strike.