Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-13
ARBITRATION MAY
PREVENT STRIKE
Predicted That Such an Agree
ment Will Be Effected
To-Day.
MEDIATION EFFORTS FAIL
President Wilson Is Ready to
Intervene Should It Be-
come Necessary.
MEDIATION EFFORTS FAIL

NEW YORK, August 12.-Notwith-
standing the failure of mediat ton to
bring together the representatives Of
the railroads of the country and their
100000 employees on the demand for
an eight-Aour day and time and a half
overtime. the threatened strike that
would tie UP 255 railroad systems and
throw 100000 railroad workers out Of
employment may he averted by arb-
tration.
An agreemen, to this enec, may be
entered into tomorrow, 1t was pre-
dicted here tonight
AT the end Of day of confusing
situations and contradictory reports
the leaders Of the four railroad brother
hoods and the members Of the United
States Board OF Mediation and Con-
Citation. which is striving TO effect a
peaceful settlement at the special re-
quest OF President Wilson. viewed the
situation optimist!cally
ARBITRATION UNDER
PRESENT ACT UNSATISFACTORY
1t virtually has been conceded that
arbitration under the present pro-
visions Of the Newlands act would not
be satisfactory TO the men. but an ex-
be accepted by them with the proviso
that only their present demands are
to be arbitrated. The railroads have
maintained that in the event Of arbi-
tration. not only the demands of their
proposition" which is based on the
eight-hour day, but eliminates the
double compensation features, should
be arbitrated
Several times during tho days nego-
tiations between the mediators and the
trainmen II seemed a S If the men were
on the point of withdra wing from fur
ther parley. When the situation
reached a point where II was reported
President Wilson had INTERVIEWED. A.
3. Garretson. president of the Order
OF Railway Conductors. authorized n
statement which clearly indicated that
the bro.herhoods would not oppose
such action
An invitation from the President
Of the United States" said Mr.. Gar
retson. rs tantamount to a command
II he summons us to Washington we
will go, but 1t must be understood
that the President has no more power
in this matter than the mediators"
Although the mediators and the
railroad managers refused to discuss
the events of the day. Mr.. Garretson
had no hesitation in doing SO, saying
that mediation having failed. he was
under no further obligation 10 main
tain secrecy about the negotiations.
He said the douhle-compensatio fea-
ture was the stumbling block
Mr., Garretson declared that double-
compensation agreements are in effect
on virtually every railroad in the
country and they were won by the
men after serious effort extending over
a period of thirty years
MEDIATORs WILL REPORT
AGAIN THIS MORNING
Because the mediators could not give
the trainmen assurance that the rail
roads would waive the contingent
proposition" the men adjourned until
Tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. when
the mediators again will report The
mediators met the railroad managers
only for a brief period during the
afternoon. but said they had satisfac-
tory sessions with both sides a high
railroad official declared. however, that
there would be no backdown on their
part until the other side showed a
disposition TO meet them half way
The next move is up TO the rail-
roads. Mr. Garretson said, in view of
the fact that they had requested the
services of the mediators