The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-08-29
Brotherhood Leaders Tell
Men to Quit Then Unless
Settlement Comes
JOINT SESSION OF
CONGRESS SET FOR 2.3O
President Will Present Def
mite Plan for Legislation
TO Avoid Disaster
WASHINGTON, AUG. %.

WASHINGTON, Aug. %
- Pres. Wilson addressed
congress in joint session on
the railway strike situation
at 2.30 this afternoon.
The President reached his
decision to do this soon after
a meeting Of the brother
hood heads had come to a
conclusion on the latest pro-
posal Of the committee of
railway presidents to defer
a strike pending an investi-
cation.
Their decision was not an
nounced, but the Presidents S
action in deciding to address
congress was interpreted as
meaning they had rejected
it.
While the Presidents de-
cision was being announced
the brotherhood lie ad er S
changed their tentative or
der for a strike on Labor day
to actually order the strike
at this time unless it is called
off by a settlement. BY their
action they believe they have
anticipated any legal process
which might be brought
against them.
President Wilson worked nearly all
night on the address he was to deliver
and after comforting with Chairman
Ncwlands of the senate interstate com
merce committee announced his deci.
sion. Word was sent to the senate
and house leaders SO they could ar.
range n joint session.
The President laid before congress a
definite plan of legislation for dealihp
with the situation. II includes bill,
laid before him by Senator Ncwland.
after conferences with Acting ATTORNEY
General Todd, Secretary Lane and scv
cral members of the senate intcrstat,
commerce committee. The bill which
WIll be taken mp first is a bill patterned
after the Canadian industrial disputes
act, providing for investigation of dis
putcs between railroads and their en-
ployes and preventing strikes and lock
outs during the period of investigation
An eight.hour day for employees with q
provision that sufficient time shall bc
given the railroads to prepare for IFS
operation will also be put up to con.
grcss for consideration.
The President also discussed with
Senator Ncwlands early this mornino
legislation for stopping a strike if il
begins before preventive legislation
can be adopted. In response to a re.
quest Of the railroad presidents Presi
dent Wilson postponed his cabinet
meeting and arranged for a conference
with them to be held shortly before
noon.
Added evidence to the conclusion
that the brotherhoods have rejected
the latest offer of the railroads wa.
found in today s action of the leaders
who sent out a new order which virtual
ly orders strike on Labor day unless
satisfactory settlement is reached tC
prevent ii. The previous order merely
made the strike tentative and required
transmission Of code word to make il
effective. 1t now requires no addition
al word to put the strike into effect OF
Labor day, but it does require that {
settlement has been reached to pre-
vent one.
The Presidents Address.
In his address to congress President
Wilson said in part:
Gentlemen of the congress, / hav,
come TO You to scci: your assistance il
dealing with a very grave situation
which has arisen ont Of the demand Of
the employees of the railroads engage,