Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-31
Brotherhood Chiefs Called to White
House and Asked to Rescind +,
Strike Order. :
CONGRESS PUTS ON STEAM,
Prepares to Rush Through by Satur.
day Night Measures Designed !
to Bring About Settle
ment Of Dispute. (

not, be strike starting Monday!
This in substance was the fat
laid down today to the four BROTH
erhood leaders by the authorities
in the National Capital who have
shown themselves most friendly
and powerful to secure for the
railroad employees all they posi-
bly, can get at this time in hours
and wages.
President Wilson called them
to the White House and told them
this, pointing out to them that
if legislation has not actually
been put through before Saturday
night Congress will have gone far
enough on the proposed legisla-
ton to guarantee a satisfactory
fulhllment of what they insist
upon. On this basis he asked, as
a patriotic duty, that the strike
order be rescinded.
Warned by Their Friends.
Labor leaders in Congress who have
all the important labor enact
ments Of the last two years and to whom
the brotherhoods must look for strongest
support have told them that an ultimatum
that legislation must be passed as they
demand before Saturday midnight is pre-
posterous and will hamper all legislation
beneficial to labor for twenty years 70
come.
Administration leaders express a hope
that their efforts along this line will be
If they are not President VIII
son is prepared to issue a public appeal
to the railroad workers to insist that the
strike order be revoked.
Congress Tackles Problems.
Meanwhile Congress got down in real
urged by the President President VIII
son himself visited the Capitol shortly
after IL o'clock and conferred with lead
ers in both houses.
The interstate commerce committee a
the Senate had a hearing, attended by
and railroad leaders, Presi-
lent Gompers of the A. F. of L., the a.
sisf a pt attorney peneral memhar. ~ 49,
commerce commission and 9th.
srs most intimately concerned in the pro-
posed emergency measures
The House took the bit In its teeth
when Representative Adamson, chatr-
man of the interstate and foreign CONF
merce committee, introduced a bill for
the eight hour day and the commtssioA
to investigate wages. as proposed ny
the President in his original sugge6.
tion as mediator for the acceptance Of
both parties to the controversy. This
measure had the backing Of Speaker
Clark and Majority Leader KitchfH
and Is to be rushed through the House
under special rule and sent to the
Senate not later than Saturday morn
ng.
1t was thought that these positive
acts of assurance of good faith on thu
part of the administration to enact
egislation to meet the emergency
leaders from their stand
FOR a strike starting Labor day.
Says Mails Must Move.
Notwithstanding this hopeful view,
,lans for the strike and counter plans
o meet the extremity were made,
General Burleson. after con-
erences at the White House and Cap
toll, said that if any trains are run
hey will carry the mails. and If mon
re found to run them the railroads
viii be forced to furnish the equipment.
'he old statute of 1862 1t was indi-
ated, may be called into force as q
esperate resort to empower the Presi.
ent to keep the trains moving.
The fact that the Secretary of War
as ordered $4,000 guardsmen back
rom the Mexican border to states that
re important railroad centers is be-
eved to point strongly to the fact that
hey are being located where they may
e used advantageouSly in case Of =
trike.
Railroads with terminals in Washs
ngton predicted that when the at.
empt is made Monday to stop train
ervice only daylight schedule will be
tempted, showing that in spite Of Ia,
or assurances the roads are guarding
gainst any possibility of violence un-s
er cover of darkness.
President Goes to Capitol.
Just before II o'clock President Wilson
rrived at the Capitol and summoned ad-
tion leaders to his office. ~
Word was sent to the interstate CONF
,erce committee that the President
anted to confer with senators on hastenss
,e the legislative action. The commits.
ee authorized Senators Pomerene of
hio and Smith of South Carolina to cons
n with the President.
Senators Pomerene and Smith, after
alking with the President half an hour
eturned to the hearing. n
THE President wants action: that's aHE