New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-11
Matter Will Probably
Be Referred to
President Wilson.
ARBITRATION NOW
SEEMS PROBABLE
Federal Board Has Never
Given Up Hope of Avert
ing Strike of 100000.

The only definite word that came
yesterday from the conferences on the
railroad dispute was that both sides
were still deadlocked. The Federal
mediators, having heard the roads con-
tentions on Wednesday, met the repre-
sentatives Of the four great brother
hoods yesterday morning and then went
back TO the railroad managers confer
ence committee in the afternoon. II
anything was accomplished toward
bringing the trainmen and their en-
ployers together, that step was kept
guarded secret.
"when we arrived" said Martin A.
Knapp. chairman Of the United States
Board of Mediation and Conciiiation'
"the situation presented deadlock on
the face of it. Whether we can change
il remains to be seen. We have met
both sides and there will>be other con-
ferences. Which side we shall meet
next | am unable 20 say We intend to
get together ourselves tonight"
Have Not Given Up Hope.
"May we understand" Judge Knapp
was asked, "that your negotiations
have progressed so satisfactorily that
the board will continue its endeavors|'
'Yes,p he replied. 1--WE have never
given up hope of preventing a strike,
but this is a big proposition and we
have just started. didn't know any
thing about it when we began, and we
are just getting into It,"
II is almost certain that the de-
mands Of the 100000 disconnected en-
gineers, fremen, conductors and others
on 225 roads, for an eight-hour work
ing dav and time and half pay for
overtime. will be turned over to an
arbitration board through the action of
President Wilson. The brotherhoods
told the medatOrs yesterday morning
that they were determined to stand pat
on their demands. Their representa-
tives have the authority to call a ma
tion-wide strike at any time, but out
of courtesy TO the Federal conciliators
arc holding of until the present con-
ferences end.
No Communication with Capitol.
"Have you had any communication
with the PRESIDENT" Judge Knapp was
asked after the days meetings.
no" he answered. THAT IS not IN
contemplation at present"
This Is the situation now;
The railroads are anxious 10 have
the demands of the men arbitrated.
The managers believe the changes IN
volyed present too big a proposition to
be mediated. MediGtors simply hear
both sides in secret and try to get a
compromise proposition from one side
that the other Will accept. The man
ayers contend that the public ulu-
mately must pay the bill and, there
fore, the only way to settle dispute
involving such complications is Tor
each side to present its case IN open
court, before a board of arbitration,
which will reach a binding verdict
Heads Have Strike Vote.
On the other hand, the brotherhoods
have been talking strike for more than
six months. A. b. Garretson. W. S. Stone,
w. G.. Lee and W. S. Carter, presi-
dents respectively of the conductors
tHSlHtVla u NiNiiDA anu '4N'teH ,
unions, have the vote Of % per cent of
their men TO call strike. As a tie-up
of the railroads involved would mean
such tremendous hardship upon the
whole country, however, IT is believed
the brotherhood heads can be persuad-
ed to arbitrate their grievances lest
they forfeit public sentiment. There
fore, unless the mediatOrs succeed, IL
is probable that the President will be
asked to bring about arbitration.
According TO report from Washing
ton, an appeal for President Wilson 5