The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-25
No "Get Together" Signs Out at
Washington.
President Calls in Four Broth
erhOOd Leaders.
HOW TO PLEASE THE PUBLIC!
Problem of S-HOur Day and
Higher Freight Rates.
ssSituatiOn Is Less Promising,
Says One Official.

Washington. Aug. 25.-With F'resi-
dent Wilson and the railway presi-
dents apparently hopelessly at logger
heads in their efforts to prevent the
threatened strike the president today
stirred up excitement by suddenly call
ing the heads of the railroad brother
hoods to the White House. The CON
ference with the brotherhoods lasted
an hour and a half, adjourning just
at noon. According to the workers
representatives, however, it left the
situation unchanged.
They were asked to accept no COM
promise. the brotherhood chiefs sad
and gave the impression as they eft
the White House that the president
might be expected to stand firmly by
the proposal which they have accept
ed. but which the railway presidents
refuse. The brotherhood men, while
at the White House, placed before the
president the charge that nation
wide lobby is being conducted 20 lnIlu-
cnce sentiment in favor of the rail-
roads They presented kilograms TO
show that the Northern Pacific is pay
ing for favorable mesSa ges forwarded
TO Washington. The following mss
sage, the brotherhood heads said, was
sent by Supt. J. L. Devorce OF the
Northern Pacific to all agents of hiS
road:
\ Telegram Propaganda.
at is highly important to get train
men question discussed by farmers,
stock raisers, dairymen and mercants.
Please get as many of these classes as
possible in your town and vicinity to
sent kilograms rush to President
Wilson at Washington, urgently re-
ouesting him to settle the controversy
by arbitration. Telegrams should show
business of the sender These tele-
grams are to be paid from station
eunds and statements sent me for
voucher, your credit
II want you to send copies of these
kilograms TO me by wire as soon as
transmitted to the president, using our
own wires for this. Might be well to
have some of the most prominent
singers send messages to their con-
gressmen and senators in Washington
in addition to those sent to President
Wilson This is very important and
must be given preference over normal
business today.
Pressure on Employees.
The pressure from their members
for prompt disposal of the issue with
the railroads is becoming strong, the
brotherhood men told the president
W G. Lee. president of the Trainmen's
union. showed the following telegram
from brotherhood members al White
] ish. Mont:
National conference committee of
managers requesting business of Unit
ed States. wire President Wilson in
StSting that he change attitude regard
ing eight-hcur controversy and insist
aribltrauOn- Brotherhood members,
white Fish, insist action be taken to
dispose Of this controversy or force is
sue as authorized by strike. Refuse
arbitration proposition for cight-hour
day"
Frbe b,.o+barE,ooa 49,, ao.-;el
Critically that they had been asked by
the president to consider possible leg
lslauon by the present congress.
Inc situation is just rocking
along. said A B. Garretson. There
VIII be no compromise"
Washington, Aug 25@The leaders
OF the four railroad brotherhoods have
an appointment with the president at
80 today it was announced after a
visit 70 the White House by w L.
hoard.
Washington. Aug. 25.-President
wilson today. after a conference with
wee President Marshall. sent word to
me railway executives that he would
Hke 10 see them some time during the
udy. NO indication of what the prt,s.i-
dent has IN mind was given.
me several million dollars worth
OF railway presidents who have been
vent the threatened nationwide rail-
iosd strike, resumed their struggle
toudS VII more desperation than
of them
The situation is less promising than
at any time since negotiations start
ed: said one of the most important
railway heads
How About Public?
Discoui cement today grows out of
inns problem: How to grant an eight
hour day and make the public-iiter-
ally-pay the freight
Inc railroad heads want assura nee
o binding character that the
creased cost of operating their lines
VIII be met by increased revenues. The
best they have been able to get IS Pres
ldent wilson's agreement to do "alI
that IS posi- ble''-in case thoro fnvesti-
gator shows after the eight hour Jay
mas been put in effect that the rail
I9a9s are in need of relief. Years of
Continued on Page Two0
7E0 T0IEEuC nrorn0urn