New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-13
Federal Peace Chiefs
Fail to Get Men to
Accept Arbitration.
FINAL EFFORT
SET FOR TO-DAY
President Cancels Cruise
to Call Warning Factions
to White House.

Intervention by president Nllsoh
.eened last night to offer the only
prospect Of averting nationwide
rs;lroad strike. The attempt to
mediate the demands Of 100000 en-
cineers firemen, conductors and
trainmen on 2S7 railroads through
mt the country has failed utterly.
Assuming that the four great broth
srhoods will consent to arbitrate any
thing both sides apparently are now
deadlocked on what should be arbi-
trsted.
The Federal Board Of Media
ton and Cancellation will make
final effort this morning to bring
about arbitration. The brotherhoods
refused Yesterday morning to COM
NIT themselves on the question Of
arbitration until it should be mar
rowed down to arbitration of their
own demands and not certain coun-
ter proposals of the roads at the
same time.
Roads Want Full Arbitration.
On the other hand, the conference
committee Of railroad managers
made il plain to the mediators that
while they desire arbitration they
want the whole subject considered
BY an arbitration board, the counter
PROPOSALS of the railroad companies
as we'll as the demands of the men
for an eight-hour day and time and
half pay for overtime.
The evident hopelessness Of the stand
taken by each side was communicated
70 President Wilson over the long dis
tanee telephone. The President had
cancelled an intended weekend cruise
on the Mayfower in order to keep IN
touch with developments. When the
mediators told him that they seemed 10
have reached a deadlock President Will
son asked that he be informed i'm
mediately if a strike became imminent
so that before the break occurs he may
have an opportunity to call representa-
tives Of both sides to the White House
for conference.
President May Intervene.
President Wilson urged the media
tors TO use their utmost endeavors 10
effect some basis of arbitration. In
view Of the stand taken blythe railroad
managers and the brotherhood CHIEFS
however, it is entirely probable that
the President will be put to the neces-
sity Of calling the White House con-
ference late to-day or tomorrow. The
representatives Of the employees had re-
ceived no word from Washington last
night, but when it comes they Will take
it as q command and obey at once.
The mediators and the brotherhood
chiefs took an entirely diffelent view
Of their Joint meeting yesterday morn
ing in Webster Hall. The mediators
announced when they left the gather
ing that they had simply told the union
officials that there seemed t. be no
chance Of eiFecting an agreement
through mediation. Therefore they
asked the men TO consider submitting
the controversy TO arbitration. The
board went back TO the Manhattan
Hotel expecting to get an answer from
the employees this morning at 1o
O'clock.
I'VE came TO the men with our be-
lief" said Judge Martin A. Knapp
chairman Of the board, that after sew
ersl days discussion there was no
prospect Of arriving at settlement Dy
mediation. We therefore put up to the
men the proposals TO submit the con-
troyerses to arbitration. They are
now taking the matter under advise
ment They have promised TO let us
know their attitude at a meeting to-
morrow morning"
Both Sides Determined.
On the other hand, this is how Austin
b. Garretson, president Of the Broth
erhood Of Railway Conductors, de-
seribed the meeting:
When the mediators expressed the
aeslre that we should submit the en-
ure matter TO arbitration they were
perfectly aware that a deii~lte or
categorical answer could not and
would not be made at that time. We
STATED TO them that our attitude
UWard the arbitration proposed by
mem was exactly the same as our at
n'ude toward mediation in the first
instance, namely, that the conference
.Smmlttee Of managers had requested
~e services Of the Commission OF
;.seolation and Cancellation and that
was therefore up to the railroad
managers 70 make definite and con-
1--WE proposition as TO the scope OF
"s proposed arbitration.
me consequence was that they ad-
Sed that the managers had never
mace any offer TO arbitrate to them.
,,nen we said, Secure that PROPOSE.
"'a and we will pass on it, They said
>aiinnsd On 1axe 4. column