Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-14

After hearing the leaders Of the men
two hours, the president sent for the
managers for a conference at 3 O'Clock
this afternoon.
The president was most sympathet-
ic," said one of the brotherhood lead
ers, land his surprising knowledge of
the situation and of our position may
result in an understanding being
reached"
The president, it was said, submit
ted no counter proposition to the men
but held out hope for an adjustment
by legislation Unnecessary.
The impression prevailed among the
brOtherhoods' leaders that as a last
resort the president might ask CON
gress for oight-hOur day legislation.
The leaders explained TO the presi-
dent their stand against arbitration by
saying that they were carrying out the
wishes of the 600 delegates who sat
with them at their meeting with the
federal mediators.
The brotherhoods' leaders present
ed TO the president detailed reports OF
the vote cast in favor of a general
strike.
Lay Case Before Executive.
Railroad managers and brotherhood
leaders, deadlocked in negotiations
which threaten a nation wide railroad
strike, today laid their case before
President Wilson.
First came 35 representatives OF the
brotherhoOds, who conferred with the
president shortly after 10 o'clock.
They were followed by the committee
of managers.
The brotherhood men went into tie
conference firm in their determination
Of To a ri
Newlands act.
There were some indications that the
president might propose special ar
bitration board Of II members, on
which the four great brotherhoods
could be represented.
The presidents plan was 10 appeal
to managers and men on the highest
patriotic grounds to find a way TO com
pose their differences without a strike.
Through With NeWlands Act.
Before the conferences we're held,
A. b. Garretson, speaking for the
brotherhoods, declared that the men
were through with arbitration under
the Newiands act. Previous arbitra-
tons under that law, he reiterated, had
demonstrated that the neutral arbitra-
tors held the balance of power. He
said any special arbitration into
which the men might agree to enter.
would have TO make provision for an
extension of those arbtrators 10 give
the men what they consider a fair
chance.
The chief objection 10 the existing
form OF arbitration of the part OF the
brotherhoods," said Garretsou today,
"centers of the difficulty that has been
expected in selecting neutral arbitra-
tors who could do justice TO the cause
of the men. In the past there have
been neutral arbitrators Of high stand
ing and intelligence; such men as John
II. Finley Of New York and Seth Low,
former mayor. No matter how honest
their intentions they could not bring to
bear on the questions at issue the dis
interestedness necessary
Neutrals Influenced. Claim.
Finley's future relies entirely on the
direction Of corporate influences. while
Low, although honest, was surely In
fuenced by the fact that he is large
owner OF stocks and bonds.
The appointments OF neutral arhi-
traitors in the past under the provisions
of the Newlands act have damned arbi-
tration as a practical proposition in
the minds of the men"
w. l.. Chambers OF the federal medi-
ators. conferred with President Wilson
early this morning and arranged for
the conferences. The president can
celled Tong list OF engagements in or
der TO give all his time 20 the situation.
GarretsOn Outlines Case.
The presidents conference with the
men was opened with statement by
a g. Garretson of the conductors. as
spokesman He outlined the demands
for an eight hour day and time and a