The sun., 1916-08-20

impractical things. We must get down
TO a basis on which this situation can be
solved"
Solemn,y Mr.. Wilson pointed out that
he represented the 100. 000. 900 people OF
the nation. every one OF whom a a
deep interest In the threatened strike. lie
said his only object was to avoid a break.
In a voice rising at times 30 tina, II could
be heard outside the closed doors. he de-
clared he had tried to bring about arb'-
~tration. that his efforts had failed, and
that he had no way OF ,orcinG its accept
ance. congress. he declared. would not
pass a compulsory arbitration law.
After the conference the President told
, Mr.. Holden he would ne ready TO receive
the executives again whenever they were
ready. He remained at the White House
mos, OF the afternoon. but finally II was
determined to postpone a further confer
ence until the arrival Of the Western rail-
road presidents.
While the brotherhood men were in
session to-day at their hal, the President
sent word TO officials Of the unions that
they nigh, excuse their members until
Monday. Some Of them, he thought.
might desire TO leave Washington over
sunday and he did not wish TO hold them
here unnecessarily. Tonight, they are
leaving town for nearby resorts by
scores.
The brotherhood men have made no
complaint over the length OF time they
have had 20 remain here. and their lead
ers predicted tonight that they would be
willing TO stay another week II II seemed
necessary. None OF the leaders. how
ever. thought the negotiations would last
that long, They expect n climax In the
situation Monday or Tuesday wnen the
other railroad presidents arrive.
Iniom Men In Congress Plea.
MANY ~ the brotherhood men calle,.
on their Representatives In Congress to-
day and protested in advance against
any compulsory arbitration bills which
might he in reduced. The men are fear
full that the railroads may Try TO put
through such "A bill,
There Is only one bill that the brother
1906 men are anxious to see come out
Of the present agitation. That would
he a measure 10 empower tle Govern
ment IN case OF a strike to operate the
RAILWAYS with the present crews on an
eight noun oasis pending n settlement; OF
the differences between the railroads and
their 81 ployees. one of the leaders
guessed" to-day that such a bill would
be introduced In case of a strike, He said
he thought n measure or that character.
already prepared FOR Introduction. might
he 'ound somewhere now.
Among the railway executives the
claim was made to-nlght that a strike
could be broken within a week. II was
declared the. idea that the countr,'s
IN would be stopped immediately
was entirely wrong. Attention was
called to the fact that a large number
Of railway employees voted against a
strike, and II was claimed that man.
east an asserting vote upon the under
standing that no strike actually woul
he called,
Gould mud mn sum mOmrd.
The eighty-four railroad executive,
by the President to-day in
clude:
Louis W. I'M. Great Northern J. N
Hannafoid, Northern Pacific j. NJ
Dickinson. Rock Island l. r. Kearney
Wabash; W. e. Nixon, 81. Louis ant
San Francis % n L.. Nudge. penvel
and Rio 'irande &. NJ. Lcvey, Western
Pacific W. q. Beslcr. Central Railroad
~ New Jersey T. Pennington. Mime
sofa, 81 Paul and Sault ste. Marie N
II. smith, l.ouisyIll" and Nashville e
J.; SchaT. Missouri. Kansas and Texas
i. Edwin ,;ou'd. -. Lofts and southwest
'rn.
To-uig,t ,hr 'aill Dad presidents ncr.
SCn' - the Waite House u list OF ahou'
seventy utn'r officials who they though
should he invited to the next conferenc,
: II tho President expects II to he a repre
sentative gathering.
The situation tonight Vas described
} by u railroad president ~ not hopeless