South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-08-10
Federal Board of Mediation
Holds 55-Minute Session
With Representatives
of Trainmen.
EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT
DIVERTED FROM PLANS
Declare They Have Not Re-
Ceded From Demands For
Eight Hour Day = No
Need For Wilson Yet.
international News Service;


NEW YORK. Aug. 10-The fed
eraI board Of mediation and concil-
iation held a 55 minutes meeting
with the delegates Of the railroad
employees today at which the prelim
mary steps were taken to avert a
strike on 225 American railways.
After the meeting no formal state
ment was issued but it was reported
that a definite decision in some direc-
ton might be made within "a hours
c. w. w. Hangar. the third mem
Der Of the federal board, was asked
if an appeal would be made TO Pres't
Wilson, but he replied that events
had not proceed 10 the stage where
such action was necessary.
The board afterwards made pre-
parations to hold a second confer
ence with the railroad presidents in
the afternoon.
Make No Concessions.
Just before the meeting of the
mediators and the railroad presi-
dents. Mr. Garretson was asked If
the men had made any concessions
at their meeting with the federal
board this morning.
1--WE are not diverting from our
original position" answered the ex-
ecutive of the order Of Railway
Conductors. THE situation stands
now just as it did before"
The meeting was the first direct
contact between the employees and
the federal organization which is at
tempting TO prevent a strike Of 400
600 employees Of American railroads.
There were about 500 delegates
from the four organizations of the
big four present. The chief
spokesmen for the men were: w. S.
Stone. executive of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers; w. G. Lee.
head of the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen: A. Garretson, president
of the Order of Railway Conductors.
and w. S. Carter. of the Order of
Enginemen and Firemen.
c. w. w. Hangar, the third mem
Der Of the mediation bOad was asked
today as to what steps had been
taken at the meeting with the rail-
road presidents last night. but he
refused TO commit himself.
Wilson Keeps i'm Touch.
Pres't Wilson is understood to be
keeping in close touch with the de-
velopments in the railroad situation.
Although no statement was given
out :. is reported that the managers.
who represent railroad companies
operating $4,000 miles of trackage,
laid statistics before the federal
mediatOrs showing that the demands
of the men could not be granted
without disturbing the economics of
the nation
Elisha Lee. chairman Of the rail-
road managers. is skeptical as TO
the possibilities OF arbitration. but is
hopeful that the troubles can be set
tied without resorting TO any action
which might prove harmful to the
business Of the country.
The federal board is hearing the
arguments of both sides and il is
expected that after these are fully
digested. proposals viii be made
with an object of satisfying both the
employers and employees.
The possibility exists that Pres't
Wilson may be appealed 10 but de-
velopments have not vet reached a
principal OF which such action is
necessary.
Before meeting the mediators the
leaders Of the men held a meeting
in Webster hall at which the situa-
ton was carefully canvassed and a
line OF action in the joint meeting
with the federal board was decided
upon.