The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-14
Feeling of Optimism Follows Meet
ing with President
ARBITRATION MAY Be ADOPTED
Men Said to- Be Willing Provided
Railway Managers Withdraw
Ccunter-Proposas.

tue luiCdltllNu OIL Inc
The conference took place shortly
after 10 O'Clock this forenoon and con
tinued for about one and one half
hours. When they left the White
House the men appeared much more
optimistic than when they first arriv-
ed in the city
Another conference was arranged
for 3 o'clock this afternoon to follow
a meeting of the railway managers.
1t was unoficially stated that the
men had agreed to submit their diff
ference to arbitration, provided the
railway managers would withdraw
their counter proposals. This proyis-
ion the heads of the transportation
lines are reported to be willing to
concede.
New York, Aug. IA general
strike on virtually all the railroads of
the nation. paralyzing commerce and
throwing approximately 100000 men
out of employment, can be ayerted on
ly through the good Offices OF Presi-
dent Wilson as a result of yesterdays
developments in the dispute over the
mems demands for an eight-hour day
and time and half for overtime.
The controversy was laid before the
president. at his invitation. after the
workers had fatty rejected any form
of arbitration. They had refused
mediation Saturday.
Soon after accepting the presidents
summons, extended through the fed
| eral board OF mediation and concilia-
ton. the men announced that the lead
ers of the four railroad brotherhoods
would leave for Washington at mid
night. accompanied by 80 OF the 60G
delegates assembled at New York.
An hour later the railroad managers
10 In number. said they would leave
for the capital at the same time
Secretary Tumulty arrived in New
York last ngiht to make arrangements
! for the meeting
MIR. Tumulty brought with him q
communication from resident Wilson
addressed to the brotherhOods and The
railroad managers, pointing out ths
such paralysis of business as woulG
follow n general railroad strike woult
be a catastrophe at any time bu
would be nothing short of disaster
under present conditions. On thil
ground he based his request Tor can
ference before q strike order is use,
by the leaders of the men.
Negotiations had not been broker
off when Mr.. Tumuty left Washing
ton. but when he reached philade
phia he received a telegram from W
L. Chambers. one of the mediators
informing him the men had decline
to arbitrate, Mr., Tumulty's first ste
after reaching New York city was I
call President Wilson on the long dl
tance telephone to decide on an hou
for the fateul conference at IN
White House today.
The final break came late yesterda
after the men had been in secret Sc
sion nearly six hours Reports diffC
as to the reason for the failure of th
negotiations in view of the cheerll
outlook that obtained the ngl
before. The men assert they refuse
l. arbitration because the railroads 1
i sisted on arbitrating their "contingei
e proposition The board OF mediator
Il In statement last night. declare
u however, the men rejected their pr
position, contending that they wou
not arbitrate even II the railroad
waived the contingent proposition
The chief objection of the men
arbitrating the railroads "continge
proposition" lay In their contentiC
n that the proposal entailed the wipii
out of double compensation featw
m which the men have gained during
% years of effort The railroads ha
lt cCntendod that double compensate
It together with the demands of {
ID men. II granted, would increase I
I'd wages Of many of their employees mo
than 100 per cent.
e Elisha Lee. chairman of the conf
z ence committee of railroad manage
declined to discuss the crisis otl
than to say that the railroads h
proposed, first. mediation, and Oh
arbitration, without success,
IL placed the responsibility for the
ns ter failure of the mediators upon
b men.
a. H. Garretson. president of the
der of railway trainmen. the Ollie
elpmsosan for the men, on the otl
We hand placed the blame for the brt
Sc entirely upon the unbondng attitt
en- OF the railroads.
ne -