Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-21

NliV "Hdt lHikHt UC tllS CllCSl VII tH-iu
of an eight-hour railroad day. There
was no concealment of the fact that
some OF them believe many manu-
facturers and shippers are bound to
register at the White House their OPP
position to this proposal and that
pressure will be exercised to have
members of the senate and house ex-
press to the president their convic-
ton along the same line.
Each part Of the presidents pro-
posal is expected to be taken up sepa-
rately and the answers given to the
White House separately. This fact
and the fact that the western railroad
executives cannot reach Washington
for several days, will contribute to
the executives plan to consider the
whole problem slowly and give ample
opportunity for every detail to i'm
press itself upon the public mind.
Among the railway executives the
claim was made tonight that a strike
could be broken within week. 1t was
declared the idea that the country's
commerce would be stopped immedi-
ately was entirely wrong. Attention
was called to the fact that a large
number Of railway employees voted
against a strike and it was claimed
that many cast an asserting vote upon
the understanding that no strike &C.
tually would be called.
The claim was made that in case of
strike, many Of the old engineers
would refuse to go out and that with
these men the railroads would be able
to continue the operation of trains.
Some time ago the arrangements were
said to have called for volunteers to
serve in the event of walkout. MANY
responses were received, it was as
serted, from among the 100000 men
in shop. service, engaged in building
or repairing locomotives and are ia
miliar with their operation. A great
number of men would not be needed.
it was said, highly trained workers
not being needed to fill positions as
trainmen.
Later the railroad managers made
public the statement which President
Holden Of the Burlington, made to
President Wilson at the conference.
1t says:
THE representatives Of the rail-
roads here present have given careful
consideration to the proposals sub
mitted by you for an adjustment of
the critical conditions confronting us.
May we again express the grave sense
OF responsibility upon our shoulders
to discharge, as faithful trustees of
the public interest, the duty to main
tain and operate these properties as
efficient at all times to
serve the continuous demand for
transportation service-as faithful
trustees also to protect, insofar as it |
is in our power, the interests of the
owners OF these properties committed
to our charge.
"1n the previous stages of these ne
the conference committee
OF managers has consistently adhered
to the policy Of arbitration as a fun
damental principle-it is essentially
the common right OF every citizen Of
whatever station in life, to be heard
to have his day in court-it is indeed
a substitute for wasteful litigation
recognized long since in the codes of
all civilized countries. TT.
"A denial Of the right to be heard
does not exist under any form of
government with which our race has
ever bSen familiar, and the common
acceptance in international affairs,
in the adjustment of public and pri-
vate rights under our federal and
state governments, Of the principle OF
arbitration as an approved method |
for the friendly settlement OF the
serious contentious of the parties, has
put the right to claim arbitration
IS a method of settling such con-
,roversies beyond question. For these
'easons, we have supported our COM
nittee in Its continuous demand and
n those important particulars upon
which no agreement could be reached.
arbitration should be accorded upon
my reasonable basis that might be
"1n several important arbitrations
u railroad rates of pay and condi-
ions of service within recent years,
he last within two years, involving
linety-eight railroads, serving the en-
ire territory between Chicago and
he Pacific coast, the ten-hour basic
lay was incorporated in the demands
If the organizations parties thereto,
md made the basis by them of the
,ates and rules awarded by the fed
.ral board"
Persistent Adverfisinr L. tha pa.l