The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-08-30
RAILROAD STRIKE NOW ALMOST A CERTAINTY
Standing FEa
KING OF RUMANLA ORDERS GENERAL
MOBILIZATION OF ENTIRE FORCES


the industrial, commercial and general
public which they have been made 10
feel by thousands of kilograms insist
ing upon the maintenance OF their
position"
Opposed to Plan.
The brotherhoodS expressed their
unalterable opposition to President
Wilson's plan to compel public inyes-
1igation ir statement signed by Gar
retson. Stone, Garter and Lee which
said:
Since the abolition of slavery no
more .:ffectual means has been de-
vised or insuring the bondage of the
workii man than the passage OF the
compu sorry investigation acts of the
chara, er of the Canadian industrial
disput S act !,
The issue OF these two statements
was the formal announcement OF the
final positions Of two great forces,
immovable and still deadlocked after
two weeks of intercession and nego-
1iation by the president of the United
States.
The days developments fairly tum.
bled over one another. President Viii
son having heard that the strike had
definitely been SET for. Labor Day and
anticipating that the brotherhood
heads would reject the latest proposal
of the railway presidents worked .prac-
tically all night on his address to con.
greSs.
At 10 o'clock in the morning the
railway presidents asked for an audi
ence at the White House and the pres
ident kept his cabinet waiting an
hour and received them. Secretary
Tumulty meanwhile delivered to the
brotherhood heads the latest proposal
that the men accede to an lnVestlga-
ton. permit the interstate commerce
commission practically to impound
the pay the men would receive II they
won their demands, and let the men
decide at the end Of the investigation
whether 10 strike or arbitrate. 1t was
promptly and perfunCtorily refused by
the leaders.
The railway presidents then re-
verted to the position they assumed
at the outset of the negotiations and
issued their statement 10 the public.
President Wilson, realizing that
their latest proposal would not he ar.
cepted by the workers. told the rail-
way executives he was sorry 1t hau
been presented. and bade them good
bye. saying:
God help you: cannot"
To Fight investigation.
The brotherhood heads having
knowledge of the Presidents proposal
for compulsory investigation. an
nounced their intention TO fight it in
Congress and, if possible, 10 get sepa-
rate votes on thar and the eight-hour
day proposal which they favor, hoping
to beat the former and enact the lat
ter into law. Generally they cX-
pressed satisfaction with the Prcsi-
dents address, feeling that it hit the
railroads harder than it did them.
Although the railway presidents feel
that in the face of President Wilson S
suggestions for legislation the en-
ployes cannot afford to strike, they
have not overlooked any element OF
preparation for the strike order.
Provision has been Made 10 police
every mile OF track and yards Of the
great eastern systems, where the
brotherhoods are particularly strong.
No general agreement was reached to-
day on the question Of embargoes.
With varying conditions. each road
was expected to act for itself
The roads will fight strike individ.
ually and not collectively. Many OF
them, the executives declare, will be
run more than so per cent. efficient.
particularly on several western lines.
where there IS a personal sense Of 10y
atty to the management, or where the
proposal to strike was not encouraged
and not supported so strongly as on
some eastern roads. What percentage
of their trains the eastern roads can
operate is guess work. At one time
there was a plan to operate only So.
900 miles Of the 100000 or more in
the United States for traffic on main
arteries north. south. east and west.
1t was abandoned because it. was point
ed out that the sympathy Of the pub
lie and it's support Of the railroad po-
sition might depend 10 large degree
on the train service and the capacity
OF the roads 10 continue to transport
the necessities Of life.
The railroad presidents and mana
gers who remain here will continue
consideration of plans TO meet the
strike situation, hut will watch Con-
greSs and the brotherhood chiefs.
Although they are not expected Open
~ to oppose an hour day, it was appar-
ent tonight that 1t is not entirely sat
isfactory to them. They are not kind
" disposed to any congressional suG-
gestion for an increase in freight rates
because the shippers Of the country
have come out s1uarely. they say,
against an added burden Of the kind
If their hopes arc realized Congress
would act on legislation for creating
a commission and for temporary gov
ernment operation at once.
Some OF the presidents who view
the whole trouble in its broadcst light
hold the opinion that out of it all will
come agitation for government owner
ship and an organized effort on the
part of other labor organizations. the
opening OF the long predicted gigantic
struggle between capital and labor
Make No Statement.
brotherhood heads declined to make
any statement further than that they
would fgA compulsory investigation.
The s hour day with no reference 10
wages is by no means 10 their liking.
but they think, the railroads will make
determined fight on il and they can
safely leave it alone.
brotherhood opposition to- the s
hour day plan is based on the ground
that ii does not approach their pres
ent demands. They want the s hour
day, they insist. and believe in lis
principle. but along with 1t they want
their present ten hours pay. As Con-
gress is not empowered TO regulate
wages, but may only regulate hOr--; of
labor in Interstate Commerce, they un
rot see enough material advantage TO
them in the Presidents hour day
proposal 10 warrant them making a