The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-09-01

warfare that threatens the whole
Failure Of Mediation Admitted
This was practically admitted in Of
fetal circles last night when it was an
bounced that the President is planning
to make a personal appeal to the mem
bers of the brotherhOods to remain at
work, at least until further efforts to
arrange for an agreement have failed.
One ray of hope remains that there
win be no strike. Congress is acting
on the suggestions made by President
Wilson at the joint session held Tues
day afternoon, and is understood to
he working on legislation that will
provide for the eight hour law for rail
road lines all over the country. The
measure now being prepared for sub
mission to the senate, by the senate in
terstate commerce committee, also pro-
vides for thorough investigation of
the effects of the eight-hour rule on
the railroads themselves. In fact it
embOdies practically all of the recon-
mendatiOns made by the, President.
Might Avert Big Tieup
Members Of the trainmen' 5 commit
tee stin here said last night that this
measure, backed by the guarantee that
the present rate Of pay per diem would
not be lowered, would be regarded as a
satisfactory settlement" of tie de-
mands Of the men, and might put an
end to the threat of a strike.
The senate committee met yesterday
morning, and work on the drafting Of
measure to- meet the situation was
begun. fhe hrst step was to draw up
resolution providing for congress
sional investigation of the differences
between the men and the railroads.
'rhe resolution provides also that while
such an Investigation is pending
strike on the lines would be Unlawful.
Proposal Meets Opposition
This proposal met with considerable
opposition, and an alternative was sug-
gested providing for the enactment of
an eight-hour day law, with an investi-
cation into it's effects on rates. over
head charges and the like, and an early
report TO congress.
While the administration aud con-
gressmen are working to avert the
strike other branches of the govern
rnent are preparing TO meet it in other
ways. ne war ycStCIuHy
issued orders to $4,000 national guards
men to return to their state mObiliza-
ton camps at once. Three regiments
will go back to New York, two to
New Jersey, two to Illinois, two to
Missouri, and one each to Washington,
Oregon, Louisiana and California.
Food Problem Also Serious
The food problem threatens to be-
some the most serious one to face,
should the strike materiahze. From all
sections of the country come reports
showing the growing alarm that is
felt. In New York especially, where
the population lives from hand to
mouth, approximately three days
food supply ahead, the cutting Of rail
road transportation would mean starva.
ton to thousands Of babies, The city
authorities. yesterday Sbegan taking
steps to meet the crisis and secure
municipal control of the food supply.
With the approval Of the mayor, and
the commissioner of police that depart
ment is preparing to take charge the
moment it becomes certain that the
railroad men are going to strike.
Babies First MiIlZmep's Slogan
Milk dealers in New York and other
cities have announced that if the sup
ply is cut down they will follow the
plan of "babies first
The federal government is also lay.
ing its plans for taking control of the
food supplies of the nation if the roads
{ pre unable to carry provisions, and it
I becomes evident that large cities are
threatened with starvation.
As indication OF possible methods
for checking the strike, local court
in Nebraska has enjoined the Order of
Railway Conductors from calling a
strike on the Onion Pacific road
This points the way to what may be
done elsewhere. 1t is intimated that
similar injunetions are possible in other
states and that the employees may be
compelled to remain at their posts.
Many railroads have declared EN-
bargoes on perishable freight So that
they, win have none in transit when
the strike order takes effect. Thou.
sands, of tons of shipments have been
refused by the railroads under orders
from their traffic managers.
, Passengers Are Being Warned
Il The roads are also warning pSssen.
gers that there may be troublesome
delays unless the passengers arrived at
destination on or before Sunday night.
Passengers buying tickets calling for
trips taking them into Monday are
tod that speedy arrival at destination
:. eapnot be guaranteed
The Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion yesterday approved an order
postPOning until September 80 the pro-