The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-08-25
STRIKE PERILS
NATION, WILSON
Rail Conferences Are Still on
at Washington.
PRESIDENT MUCH IN EARNEST

Chief Executive Warns Railroad Heads
That Verdict of Great American Jury
Would Be Against Them If Strike
Came-Hints at War Complications,
Also.
WASHINGTON, D. C. = President
Wilson renewed his demand for an
gave solemn warning that harmony
such as would guarantee efficiency
was most essential to national prepar-
edness. He limited. at complications
which might result from the European
war. He intimated strike would like
ly result in an adverse verdict against
the railroads by the great American
jury"
The executives were called unex-
pectedly to the White House with as
little formality as would have been oh
served in sending for a congressional
committee. The gathering included L.
W. Hill of the Great Northern and
dent greeted the assembled officials in
the blue room His manner was as
solemn as the brief address which fol-
lowed The effect is believed to have
placed the executives wholly on the
defensive It is understood they will
not go again to the White House until
they can find some compromise plan
to offer.
At the point where he exhibited the
greatest concern over the outcome
President Wilson said:
81 will not allow passion to come
into my thoughts in this solemn mat
ter We are both acting as trustees Of
great interests. l am willing to allow
the matter to go to he American jury
and let them assess the responsibility.
The responsibility of failure will not
rest with me.
Points Out Consequences.
ct wish you to consider the conse-
qUences as affecting the people in the
cities and the countrysides of failure
to agree. The country cannot live if
the means of keeping alive it's vitality
are interfered with.
"The lives and fortunes of 100000
600 men, women and children-many
may be done in this room. I appeal to
you as one American citizen to an
other to avert this disaster"
An additional summary of the pres
ident's statement, as given out at the
White House, follows:
'This talk was more intimate and
has reference more to the disastrous
effect of a strike when every ounce
of American energy and initiative
would have to be modified to meet
the extraordinary situation that will
Immediately emerge out Of the Euro
pean war.
U. s. Can Be Isolated.
'The president said the war had
taught this country that it could no
longer remain isolated and provincial
He said by reason of it's position in
the affairs of the world, we must be
ready to play our role as one of the
dominant influences il world affairs.
Gle also said the accommodation
and adjustment of these interests in
harmony was necessary part of ma
tional defense-'for our great national
resources could not be made avail
able or modified in this emergency
unless the railroads are made service
able instrumentalities for backing up
any plan of national Defense"
Persons qualified to speak for the
executives are more confident there
will be no strike. The impression pre-
walls that ultimately the executives
and managers will give in to Presi-
dent Wilson, obtaining the same time
any concessions they may from the
White House.
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