Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-31
Ready to Waive Principle.

AsSaoy W w oASS 3AASAP4Ss
Mr.. Garretson said that the labor or
ganizations believe that labor differ
ences should not be settled by legisla-
tion. but between themselves. Yet in
the present emergency he believed that
such a settlement was very desirable
and that the brotherhoods would be
willing to waive the age-old traditions.
w. G. Lee, head of trainmen. declared
III passage of an eight-hour law, the
.nen are ready to arbitrate all else.
Samuel Gompers. president fof the
American Federation of Labor, also
spoke. showing that the brotherhoods
have the support of other organiza-
tions. He said there are worse things
than strike, opposing compulsory arbi-
tration.
of the trainmens brotherhoods ap-
peared in force at the hearings.
At the outset Senator Newlands.
chairman of the committee, announced
its purpose and said none OF the pro-
posed legislation involved compulsory
arbitration.
Appear Promptly at Hearing.
Railroad officials and representatives
of the trainmens brotherhoods ap-
peared promptly when the hearings
were begun.
On hand for the railroads were
Elisha Lee. chairman of the national
conference committee of the railways;
E. H. Chapman, vice president Of the
southern; John G. Walters. secretary
rate conference committee of manufac-
turers for eastern lines; A. F. Greig.
assistant to receiver st. Louis and San
Francisco Railway; J. w. Sheean,
counsel for the conference committee;
G. L. Barde. general manager New
York, New Haven and Hartford: N. D.
Maher. vice president Norfolk and
Western: L. w. Baldwin. general man.
ager Central of Georgia: w. L. Sid
don. vice president Seaboard Air Line
H. W. McMaster, Wheeling and Lake
Erie railway: Fred Underwood. presi-
dent of the Erie; Daniel Willard. presi-
Rea, president of the Pennsylvania: /:
Fairfax Harrison. president Of the
Southern railway: W. w. Atterbury,
vice president of the Pennsylvania, and
r. S. Lovett, chairman of the board of
the Union Pacific.
Representing the employees were A. b.
Garretson, president of the Order of Rail
way Conductors; w. G. Lee, president of
Railway Trainmen; w. S. Stone. grand
chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, and w. 8. Carter, president of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen
Officials of the American Federation of
Labor. headed by President Gompers, also
were in attendance. Assistant Attorney
General Todd and E. e. Clark of the in
terstate commerce commission also were
present.
House Favors Emergency Action.
Early to reach the hearings to listen to
the proceedings was Representative
NJ fko
who said that the present sentiment of
the House was overwhelmingly in favor
Of emergency action at once to stop the
strike.
IF we can have assurances that an
eight-hour law. with assurances that
pay will not be reduced and provision
strike, and l have been told 1t would.
the House. 1 believe. will pass such
bill tomorrow or Saturday at the lat
est" said MIR Kitehin.
I'VE understand there is a growing
sentiment in the Senate, among the
gency legislation. other legislation to be
after the strike has been
prevented.
II would be- in favor of more radical
action now to prevent strike than I
would be in December"
Defines Purpose of Hearing.
At the outset of the hearing Senator
Newlands. chairman of the committee.
the purpose of the hearing.
stating that II was to consider the
measures recommended by the Presi-
dent. After outlining these measures,
Senator Newlands said that none of the
proposed involved compul-
sorry arbitration. 1T simply provides"
he said, 'in case of the failure of VOL
untary mediation and arbitration for
government inquiry and the stay of the
action of all the parties to the contro-
should be made, leaving them free
to act as they might be ad-
vised."
Mr.. Newlands referred to the hurried
character Of the proceedings. He stated
It arose from the fact that a general
strike had been ordered by the railroad
to take place September
was so limited as to preclude the de-
Iteration essential to such important
egislation.
Though time is pressing" he added,
the committee on interstate commerce
has deemed 1t unwise to embark on |
parties interested-the brotherhoods, |
he carriers and the shipping and con-
,uming public. They regret that the |
ime is so limited and they trust that |
before the conclusion OF the hearing |
he officials at the head of the brother |
loods, realizing that Congress is about |
o enter with serious and continuous |
purpose upon the most important aues- |
ions affecting their interests, will. by |
/ postponement Of the strike. enable |