The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-17
Sends Telegram Urging They
Come at Once.
Signifies Extreme Crisis Reach-
ed in Strike Crux.
MEETS WITH BROTHERHOODS
President Addresses COMMITTEES
of 604 in White House.
Will Try to Persuade Unions to
Accept Compromise.

Washington, Aug. 17.-Reaching
what apparently was a deadlock In
the attempted settlement of the
threatened strike on the railroads.
President Wilson today sent tele-
gram to the presidents of the great
railroad systems of the country.
The telegram says:
Discussion of the matters involved
in the threatened railroad strike has
reached a point which makes it high
ly desirable that I should personally
confer with you at the earliest possi-
BILE moment and with the president OF
any other of the railways affected who
may be Immediately accessible. Hope
you can make it convenient to come
to Washington at once"
The Invited Guests.
President Wilson's invitation was
sent to the following railroad presi-
dents:
Daniel Willard. Baltimore & Ohio;
Samuel Rea. Pennsylvania; Fairfax
Harrison, Southern railway; Samuel
M. FELTON,. Chicago Great Western;
George w. Stevens. Chesapeake q
Ohio; William Sproule. Southern Pa
cific; E. E. Calvin, Union Pacific; L
F. Loree, Delaware & Hudson; W. J.
Harahan. Seaboard Air Line; Howard
Elliott, New Haven; B. +. Bush. Mis-
souri, Pacific; A. H. Smith, New York
Central: F. D. Underwood, Erie. and
VIM. H. Truesdale. Lackawanna-
E. P. Ripley, Santa Fe; r. H. Ash
ton, Chicago & Northwestern; A. j.
Earring. Chicago. Milwaukee & st.
Paul.
In Historic East Room
Washington, Aug. 17.-The histor-
ical East Room of the White House
was ready today for the enactment
of what may be one of the closing
incidents in the titanic struggle be-
tween the four powerful brotherhoods
of railway employees and the operators
of the railways of the United States
Six hundred and four district chair
men Of the railroad workers are here
to meet the president this afternoon
in the East Room. The president has
ready for them his suggestion of a
solution of the situation that has men
aced the country for the past several
weeks.
The definite terms of the presidents
proposal are not known, but the basic
idea is an agreement to be made be-
tween the railroads and the brother
hoods, whereby the eight hour day
shall go into effect at once. With this
in effect, the question of methods OF
enforcing ft-whether by means of the
time and a half for overtime, or by
some other means-wiil be made the
subject of investigation and adjust
ment, with the federal government
perhaps taking part in the adjustment.
The railroad brotherhoods have in
sisted steadily that there is no other
effective method of enforcing the
eight hour day.
President Faces Problem.
The presidents problem-if the
railroads definitely concede the eight
hour principle to the extent of agree
ing to give it trial-seems to be to
convince the railroad men that the
time and a half overtime issue should
be held in 'abeyance during the trial
period.
Interest rested chiefly in the solemn
session this afternoon in the beautiful
room celebrated only for affairs Of
social splendor.
Garretson Not Optimistic.
Judge Chambers of the federal
board of mediation and conciliation
held a brief conference with the
brotherhood heads this morning.
Further than to say he had one ques-
ton on which he wanted a definite
answer, and he got it, the conferees
visit. Mr.. Chambers went to the
White House Immediately on leaving
the brotherhood officials.
81 should not Ike to say that the
situation still is hopeful" A. B. Car
retson. spokesman for the employees.
said after Chambers had left Hope
full is hardly the word 1 should use. /
would say though that 1 deem a set
tlement still possible
Delegates in Serious Mood.
The employees Representatives were
serious and for the most part silent al
the time approached for their gath
ering at the White House. What they
are prepared to concede, none would
say. Some of the leading members OF
the general committee indicated their
belief that way was about to be
found to prevent the clash that
seemed inevitable less than a week
ago But what the way might be they
would not discuss.
They jammed the corridors of the
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