Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-02-13

Chicago, Feb. 12.-Probably no coun- try ever faced more serious situation than may be precipitated this spring through the demand of the freight train men on every steam railroad in the United States for a working day of eight hours, with time and half pay for overtime. ..2.-<....,.--s...-. =
 All the members of the four national railroad unions in the country have voted on the question of presenting this demand to the managers. While the counting of the votes now going on in this city will not be completed until March 1, the results of local ca1vasses are known and indicate be- yond doubt that the men order their presidents to make the demand in- exorably.
 Both sides are organized nationally for the first time. The four unions the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- y gineers, the Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Bremen and Enginemen, the Or ~der of Railway Conductors and the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmea- have forgotten their factional differ ences in order to win this great en- gagement.
 The three railroad district organi- standardization, Western and South ern-have also merged their forces and appointed great general staff to direct their campaign.
 Political Side to Situation.
 There is an important political side to the wage situation. This is presi- dential year. If the Democratic ad- ministration could settle the difficulty it would be feather in it's cap. If President Wilson tries to settle it and fails, the Republicans would make campaign capital out of the fact.
 Theodore Roosevelt figures in the political side. He is member Of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen. He is not likely to stand idle, but just what course he would pursue has not been indicated.
 The present vote, now being can vassed, cannot itself result in strike. This is common popular mistake. The men are simply voting on the question of raising the eight-hour de- mand at this time. Q If the vote is favOrable-and Of thls 9f1ere is little question-then the unlon leaders will make simultaneous de- mands on the 52S American steam railroads. These demands are certain to be refused Then the union ofll- cials will hold parleys. If the par leys fail to produce anything they VIII proceed to strike vote.
 The wage agreement runs out May l. If no settlement of the dispute mas been reached by that date the unlon officials will break off negotiations with the railroad managers ana pro- ceed to hold a vote on the question of a striking.
 The vote will simply authorize tne presidents of the unions to call sariah whenever they see fit.
 Disastrous results would foilo" strike. Industry would cease. Almost no deliveries of any sort could pc made. Some communities would soon be starving. Prices of foodstu1Is would rise enormously. In the large cities milk trains would be cut OH ana thousands of little babies would die from lack of their accustomed 1ooa. Confusio1 would reign supreme anu / the nation would besstirred as II nas not been since the Civil war. n,AY
 DissensiOn Among Trainmen.
 There is, however. a little lnternal dissension still left in the unions: These members of the Brot raQoas ol s'l Locomotive Engineers who are :aot ID the freight service would not pc pene-