New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-23
Merchants, Farmers and
Trade Bodies Demand
Arbitration.
MANY PREFER STRIKE
TO A BACKDOWN
Increased Rates Would BE
a Disaster, Fear of Many
Western Men.
From stan Correspondent of The Thbuno.l


Washington, Aug. 22.-The railroad
executives gathered at the capi'al
have received scores of kilograms from
shippers, commercial organizations
farmers and individuals protesting
against any settlement of the con'ro-
versy between the railroads ana ther
employes which would entail IN
creased freight rates. These messages
urge the railroad heads to stand hrm
for the principle of arbitration Ail9ns
some of the kilograms received by hale
Holden, president of the Cnlehgo'
burlington L. Quincy, and h. I. Ripley
president of the Santa Fe, spokesman
for the executives, were the foiio"lhg'
at is not right that the larlnets
should be taxed additional rates 10
support political rule and the eisht,
hour day for society in general ana
preferred labor unions IN partlculaI;
When we who produce from the sou
with our labor cannot stand any au-
ditional burden nor raise suhieieHe
nutriment to feed men and animals
on any such rule"
Farmer Speaks Out.
"An eight-hour day may be approved
by society for politicians, but we iarr
ers who are employers and producers
cannot work on any such oasis anu
produce sufficient crops, nor can we pe
expected TO contribute TO such OASIS III
transportation charges.
81 am a farmer and obliged TO WORK
over eight hours. If the President, as
the press indicates, thinks society ma
accented the eight-hour day universally
no is mistaken. This may be pollticai
working basis, but il is not an economi-
cal basis and not right precedent 10
he established by forcing US to contrlo-
ute in railroad charges by considering
tho demands of the railway employees
+ Emberson, chairman OF the Farm
ers' and Merchants Cooperative Asso-
citation Of Oklahoma. sent the following
message to President Wilson:
"As chairman of the Farmers ana
Merchants Cooperative Association OF
Oklahoma | have been requested to IN
form you we are strong y IN favor OF
maintaining the principle OF arbltra-
tion in the present labor difficulties.
"The organizations you are IN CONFER
once with are Of course anxious for the
railroads to grant them ten hours pay
for oigbt hours work. We ask you as
tbo brod of the government not to per-
NIT the unions to take advantage OF
the transportation companies or other
industries. thereby placing burden on
the farmers and merchants, and further
request that any differences existing pc
tween the railroads and their employees
be submitted 10 arbitration, so cohui-
tions and the interests OF the whoie
country may be considered before any
decision is reached. | believe the farm
ers and merchants of the entire coun-
try will stand behind you IN carrying
out the above principles
Industries in Danger.
Among the representatives Of ship
pers who sent kilograms TO the presl.
dents was John G.. Shedd, president OF
Marshall Field g. Co, Chicago, who
said: "The business community strong
~ commends the position taken by the
railroads thus far. IT VIII be very
grave mistake for you to yield TO pres
ent suggestions. and Will Jeopardlze
every industry in this country. 1t IS
nrobably difficult for you in the heat
Of argument TO realize how rapidly
publjc sentiment is crystalliZlng IN
favor Of your contention Tor aroltra-
ton" 80.
S. II. Hastings. president of the Hi
nois Manufacturers Association, Chi
cago, said: Shippers generally in the
Middle West and employers OF labor
feel that your cause is their cause and
stand ready TO back you up IN every
wav possible. We want you to know that
Won arc not standing alone, that you
have our support and that we are do
ING all we can to back you up in the
position YOU have taken. Be firm and
stand for arbitration