The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-08-30
Commissioner Chalmers of
Federal Board Confident
of Settlement
MANY CONFERENCES
BEING HELD TODAY
Senate Commerce Commit
tee Plans Measures to
Straighten Tangle

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.
President Wilson was
making efforts today to have
the railroad brotherhoods
call off or postpone thestrike
order effective Sept. A. There
were indications that unless
action be taken by the broth
erhood leaders in the near
future the President may
publicly ask the railway
workers that the strike or
der be rescinded.
Continued efforts by all
agencies of the administra-
tion to induce the brother
hoods to recall their strike
order were the outstanding
features of the situation.
All the influences that
could be brought to bear
were being utilized in an eff
fort to convince the leaders
that their action in calling a
strike while the negotiations
were still proceeding should
be rescinded.
Commissioner Chalmers of the fed
cral mediation board seemed confident
that efforts along this line would be
successful Many Of those close in
touch with the situation thought it
could be accomplished if congress
promptly enacted the cight-hour day
feature of President Wilson S legisla-
tive program.
brotherhood officials, after securing
copies of the proposed bills, went in,
to conference at the department of la
bor with Secretary Wilson. 1t was
supposed they intended to consider the
proposed legislation as it affected
them and discuss it with the secretary
of labor.
The senate interstate commerce com.
mittcC adopted resolution today
Providilg for hearings on the pro-
posed railroad legislation in the i'm
pending crisis beginning Thursday at
q. m. Railroad officials, brother
hood officers and representatives. of
shippers were invited to appear. Each
side will be given three hours in
which to discuss their views of legis-
lation proposed by President Wilson
TO prevent the threatened strike and
to provide for the operation of trains
in the event of a strike.
The committee has under considera-
tion tentative plans Of three bills.
One covers the proposed cight-hour day
and creates wage commission of three
members, two TO bc recommended bv
the railroads and the brotherhood,
which shall observe the administrative
aud financial effects Of the institution
of the eight-hour day; another amends
the Newauds act to make arbitration
ilVi' NA''hANN hA'HE NV Nus VI Va
madam principles; the third provides
for government operation of railroad,
for military necessities.
Brotherhood heads insisted after &
conference with Secretary Wilson to
day that they had not been requcstc,
10y President Wilson or any other al
mnistratiol officials to postpona tn
strike and that nothing except sat
isfactory settlement of their demand
could prevent a walk,out.
"No power on earth except salts
factory settlement now can prevent
strike" said w. G.. Lee, president o
the traumen A. B. Garretson, hea
Of the conductors and spokesman 70
the employees, made similar state
mcnt. Nevertheless efforts were cor
tnucd 10 bring about n postponemen'
Chairman Howard Elliott Of the Ne'
Haven issued statement on behal
of the railway executives, pointing ou
that passenger train service as well a
freight would be tied up.