New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-22
BUSINESS URGES
.R.R. ARBITRATION
Merchants Association
and Governors Wire
Wilson.
r..,.. sl,r corresnnndcnt Of The rnbun. J

frro,r star Correspondent Of The TnbuneJ
Washington, Aug. 21.-William Eel
loves Morgan, president of the Mer-
chants Association of New York, sent
the following message to President
Wilson to-day:
"The Merchants Association Of New
York believes that the pending labor
controversy between the railroads and
their employees should be submitted 10
impartial arbitrators for complete de-
yelopment and analysis Of all the facts;
that the decision Of such arbitrators
should be binding, and that pending
such decision the present status should
be maintained.
1.-THE concessions demanded by the
employes involve an enormous increase
in the cost of railroad operation. 1t
is claimed by railroad officials that
such increased cost without correspond
ing increase in revenues will be dis
astrous TO, and cause the bankruptcy of
many OF the existing railroads, and
seriously impair the power of all to
provide efficient service for the public.
Arbitration Vital.
1--WE believe it vital 70 the wellbeins
of the nation that the principle of arbi'
tration be established as reasonable
and just means OF settlement in indus
trial disputes; that the present contro-
versy is beyond question of the class
that can and should be settled by arbi-
tration; that no person confident of the
justice Of his cause should refuse TO
submit such an issue as the present 10
the judgment and decision of unbiased
umpires; and we further believe that
such refusal, coupled with a strike
which will infict unparalleled suffer
ing and loss upon the entire nation,
will deserve and receive universal con-
demnation and ALLEVIATE from those re-
sponsible all public sympathy.
I'VE, therefore, respectfully but cav
nestly protest against the adoption Of
a so-called compromise, which upon an
ex parte showing will concede TO the
employees the major part of their de-
mands, disregard the principle of ar
bitration upon which alone just set
Element can be based. and which may
ultimately inhict suffering and injury
upon the public either by depriving II
of sufficient railroad service or by en-
forcing it to pay increased charges
Urges Court of Arbitration.
Governor Emmett V. Boyle of Nevada
sent the following telegram to the
President to-day:
while heartily approving your plan
for the adjustment Of the present rail
road controversy, | take the liberty OF
suggesting that the public is entitled TO
a sane and scientific determination OF
all industrial disputes of this character
by its own tribunals. ! hope your eff
forts will result not only in a happy So
luton Of this particular controversy,
but also in efforts looking TO create a
permanent board which will henceforth
act as a court of the first instance in all
industrial disputes in which the rights
of the public are jeopardlzed, even
though this plan involves amendment to
the Federal Constitution"
Governor James Withycombe, Of Ore
gon sent the following telegram to
President Wilson,:
"While the railroads are the prop
erty of stockholders, transportation
service is the property of the public.
Land grants and franchises were given
with that implied understanding. The
American people are committed to and
believe in the principle of arbitration,
and the public welfare demands that
this principle be preserved. Where
differences between the railroad en-
ployes and the managers involve so
serious an issue as transportation SER
vice to the public, and cannot be
mutually adjusted, the public will and
does insist on both sides submitting
to arbitration"