The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-31
Brotherhood Leaders Say Threat
ened WaIk0ut Gan Be AVerted
WASHINGTON MORE HOPEFUL
Tranmen Still Vigorously Opposing
Presidents Plan of Compulsory
investigation.

hours. The biggest factor in this
change is the statement of w. G. Lee,
head of the Brotherhood OF Railway
Trainmen, that the enactment of a
law Incorporating an S.hour day would
avert the strike. 1t is expected that
the S-hour bill will be before Congress
tomorrow Lee also informed the
committee that provided the Shour
bill was signed by Saturday night the
trainmen would be able to fash an or
der calling off the threatened strike.
Washington, Aug. 31.-All the in
fiuence OF the administration was
brought to bear yesterday in an effort
to persuade the railroad brotherhood
leaders to cancel or postpone the or
der calling a nationwide strike Mon
day, while leaders in Congress began
paving the way for legislation design
ed to prevent or stop the threatened
industrial catastropher.
Little tangible progress was made
in either direction, but in official quar-
ters at Washington last night there
still prevailed confidence that in one
way or another the walkout would be
averted.
To the spokesmen Of President Will
son who approached them, all of the
brotherhood officials gave the same re-
ply; that they had no power to recall
the strike order and that only one
thing-"a satisfactory settlement
could keep their men at work after I
a. m. Labor day. Further pressure
will be brought to bear, and as j last
resort the president Is considc: ing a
public appeal to the men themselves
to have the order rescinded
Apparently the legislation which is
being counted upnn to stay the broth
erhools is that par of the pre-: dents
program which wou,l fix an eight hour
day for railroad employees engaged in
operating trains in interstate COM
merce, and provide for an investiga.
tion Of its effects by commission or
board.
This embodies the principal features
of the presidents original plan ac-
cepted by the trainmen, and w. G..
| Lee, head of the trainmen, said last
night that its enactment with a guar
antee OF the present rate of daily pay
would be regarded by the brotherhood
leaders as a satisfactory settlement"
Immediately upon its becoming law,
he said, the brotherhood leaders
would send out the code message no,
tifying general chairmen that the
strike order should not 90 into effect
Even some of the congressional lead,
ers who oppose ether features OF he
program say such law couli se
passed.
The railway presidents and the
managers conference committee were
in separate session practically all day
The managers discussed possibilities
of the strike and what their reads
might be able to do ii it came. They
decided last night that Elisha Lee
chairman of the committe, and few
others should remain In Washington
for several days, the rest to go home
at once, Mr.. Lee probably will be the
chief spokesman at the Senate hear
ing today.
The brotherhood heads spent man!
hours yesterday planning vigorous
fight on the compulsory investigation
feature of the presidents program
which they will combat. for the pres
ent, to the exclusion of everything
| alqp IN ~