Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-14
RAILROAD STRIKE
Continued from Page y

tho four railroad brotherhoods would
leave for Washington at midnight, ac
companied by 30 of the 900 delegates
assembled here. An hour later the rail-
would leave for the capital at the same
time.
Conference Today
Both parties will reach Washington
tomorrow in time for an early confer
ence with the President. The hour for
meeting will be arranged by Secre
tary Tumulty, who as Mr.. Wilson's
representative, arrived here at 9
o'clock tonight.
Presidents Communication
Mr.. Tumulty brought with him a.
communication from President Wilson
addressed to the brotherhoods and the
railroad managers pointing out that
such a paralysis of business as would
result would be a catastrophe at any
time, but would be nothing short of a
disaster under present conditions. On
this ground he based his request for
conference with representatives Of both
factions before a strike order is issued
by the leaders of the men.
Negotiations had not been broken off
when Mr. Tumulty left Washington, bu:
when he reached Philadelphia he received
a telegram from W. l.. Chambers, one of
the medittors, informing him that the
men had declined to arbitrate. Mr.
Tumulty's first step after reaching this
city was to call President Wilson on the
telephone to decide on an hour for the
tomorrow.
The final break came late today after
the men had been in secret session nearly
six hours. Reports differ as to the rea
son for the failure of the negotiations in
view of the cheerful outlook that obtained
the night before. The men assert that
they refused arbitration because the rail-
roads insisted on arbitrating their con
tingent proposition The board of me-
diators, in a statement tonight, declared,
however, the men rejected their propo-
sition. contending that they would rot
arbitrate even If the railroads waived the
contingent proposition.
Wilson's Request
Secretary Tumulty gave out tonigh.
the following message from President
Wilson to the chairman of the confer
ence committee of manage and to
the heads of the four hrotherhoods:
II have learned with surprise anG
with keen disappointment that an
agreement concerning the settlement
Of the matters in controversy between
the railways and their employees has
proved impossible.
"A general strike on the railways
would at any time have a far-reaching
and injurious effect on the country.
At this time the effect might be dis
astrous. I feel that I have the right.
therefore, to request, and I do hereby
request, as the head Of the govern
ment, that before any final decision
is arrived at I may have a personal
conference with You here. I shall hold
myself ready to meet you at any time
you may be able to reach Washing
ton"
President Wilson told Mr.. Tumulty
ever the telephone that he would
cancel all engagements to discuss the
situation.
Mr.. Tumulty telephoned to ". L.
Chambers, chairman Of the mediation
board, and arranged to go back to
Washington at midnight with the mer
Who have been meeting here. Mr.
Chambers told Mr.. Tumulty that he
had telegraphed details o. the situa-
ton to Mr.. Wilson.
Mediators' Statement
sued by Judge Martin A. Knapp,
chairman of the board just before
their departure for Washington, fol-
lows:
After repeated efforts to bring about
an arbitration Of the pending contro-
versy between the railroads and their
employees in train and yard service, the
United States board Of mediation and
Cancellation was today advised by the
representatives Of the employees that
they would not submit the matters in
dispute to arbitration in any form.
THE employees further stated to the
board that they would rot arbitrate
their own demands, even If the contin-
gent demands Of the railroads were
withdrawn, and also declined to sug-
gest any other plan or method for
peaceful settlement Of the controversy.
They were informed that their de-
cision would be at once made known
to President Wilson and also that the
President claimed the right to per-
sonal interview with both parties be-
fore any drastic action was taken. This
request was, Of course. granted and
large delegation Of employees with
number Of railroad managers Will be in
Washington Monday for conference
with the President.
EARLY in the negotiations the rail-
roads had informed the board OF medi-
alton and Cancellation that they would
accept arbitration"
The chief objection Of the men to ar
bitrating the railroads contingent
proposition" lay in their contention
that the proposal entailed the wiping
out Of double compensation features
which the men have gained during 80
years of effort. The railroads have con-
tended that double compensation. to-
gether with the demands Of the men, If
granted, would increase the wages of
many of their emplOvAa more than 10O