Evening star., 1916-08-15
committee OF MANAGERS
AT WHITE HOUSE AGAIN
A. B. Garretson, Representing Con-
ductors, Promises Men Would
Avoid Trouble.
DISTINCT PROGRESS Is MADE
Federal Board May Be Named to
Consider All Phases of Contro-
versy and Make Ruling That
Would Be Final.

With President Wilson, medi-
ating between the railroads and
employees, determined that there
shall be no general strike, and
resolved to use all his wisdom, i'll
fluence and authority to avert
such calamity, prospects of pre-
venting the strike grew brighter
today, following a conference of
the President with the railroad
managers at the White House
this morning.
Conviction that there will be no
strike is growing hourly in the
opinion of those in closest touch
with the situation.
"The brotherhood officials rep
resenting the 100000 employees
are willing to do all that we legit-
imately can to avoid strike"
said A. B. Garretson, president of
the Order of Railway Conductors,
and spokesman for the employees.
this afternoon while awaiting
second conference with President
Wilson at 3 o'clock today.
Eght-hour Day Offered.
The statement by Mr.. Garrett
son was made after he had been
told that the delegation of rail-
road managers, while in confer
ence with President Wilson this
morning, had conceded the prin-
ciple of the eight-hour day. While
the spokesman for the men feels
bound by his promise to the Presi-
dent to make no statement regard
ing the attitude of the men until
he makes it personally to the
President it became known on
good authority that the brother
hoods will probably accept arbl-
tration if the eight-hour day is
conceded in advance.
1t is understood that this suggestion
was made by the President to the man,
ayers. and that their all-night confer
fnce until o'clock this morning was
to consider and to communicate by
wire with their home offices regarding
making such a substitute proposal as
a working basis for arbitration.
Neither side to this controversy wants
a strike. Both are determined to pre-
sent bold face just as long as II VIII
helm their cause. The White House
conferences yesterday were occupied
with the presentation of both sides:
The conferences today are to consider
how both sides can get together for an
adjustment of their disagreements.
That negotiations have reached such a
stage is in itself hopeful. Each side
now expresses the hope and some OF
the delegation the belief that an ao-
justment can be reached.
President May Name Board.
From the railroad managers camp this
morning came the prediction that the
result would probably be the appoint
,nent by the President of a board to con-
slider all the elements of the case from
the beginning, that while this board was
in session a statu quo would be preserved,
that the decision of the board should De
re+roac,fve that if the board decides In
vor of the men they should receive their
nav as from the date of the appointment
of the board
From still more reliable source came
the intimation that while the brotherhood
men have declared that they would not
arhitrate on any basis they would be
willing to consider such a proposal as is
now presented to them by the railroads
y,ilIin1ness to concede in advance an
eight hour day.
Fl is not expected that final set
Element can be reached today. Before
final action is. taken 1T Is understood
that the brotherhood officials feel they
must either report back to the $40
hrotherhood committee in New York or
bring them all here, as they nave
stated to the President a Willingness
TO do. These $40 committeeman rep
resent general chairmen from each of
the four big brotherhoods on each of
the big railway systems engaged In
'n pravious to the White House confer
ences the brotherhood officials have
protested an unwillingness to arbitrate
nnder the Newlands act. on the ground
that 1t Is not cidStiS SiouSh " oiSS SoSAA
brotherhood sufficient representation.
This act provides for an arbitration
hoard of six-two from the railroads.
two from the employees and two to rep
resent the interests of the public-or by
agreement of the parties to the contro-
versy a board of three. Now. the four
hrotherhoods demand representation for
each on the board. which would require
a board of twelve, contrary to the pro.
visions Of the Newlands act.
Arbitration Under Law.
Those In close touch with the situa-
tion pointed out today that II the en-