Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-28

The railroad executives already have
formulated the most careful plans 10
take care OF the situation should 4
"iriEc cusue. They declare that a
strike cannot last long, and that their
precautions will insure tho running OF
all necessary trains.
bcmocratic Senators who CHANGED TO
he in conference at+thc Capitol ou tho
revenue bill Tonight when the prcsi-
dcni unexpectedly appeared there in
search of senator Kern. were SravelY
concerned over the prospects. and all
conceded that the crisis proba bly,
would prolonG the session Of Congress.
When tho President. after an auto
mobile trip through the rain, reached
the Capitol. lie asked a policc:aan at
the doc" TO direct him 10 the Finance
Committee room. The Office" an
bounced the Presidents arrival. and
senator Kern hastily lef, the :""m. l'ov
at:cTal minutes he talked with he
President in the hall, but later ;ney.
walked upstairs to tho Presidents
room, after a %janitor had been found
to turn on THO lights. The conference
concluded. the President loft withnu,
consulting other Democratic leaders.
II cannot discuss the subject 81 the
Presidents Visit" said Senator Kern,
further than to say that il concerned
the railroad situation. The affair il
SO complicated, one possible develop
nient depending on another. that I can
not disclose what is in the Presidents
minis. OF course. If the negotiations to
settle the strike fail. Congress must
chdearor to solve the difficulty"
Asked If arrangements for the Iresi-
dent to address Il joint session Of Con-
Sress had been made. Senator Kern said
they had not. but he would not DENY
that such a joint session in the imme-
diate future was iii contemplat ton. /,
may he called for Tuesday. when n
quorum Of the House has been sum-
moned TO Washington.
Following the Presidents nnprc-
cedented night visit. the meeting OF the
FINANCE Committee Democrats was
de"iated from the task OF polishing up
the revenue bill to "A discussion of the
projects before Congress relating to
tho railroad situation.
CONGRESS lust ABANDON
IDEA or ADJOURNMENT
II was agreed that Congress mus;
abandon All idea OF adjournment as
long as IL might be necessary TO aid in
avertins a national Industrial disaster.
"Of course all adjournment plans
have been forgotten" said Senator SIM
mons. and must wait on the work.
ing out OF this railroad crisis"
Several Senators asserted that Con-
Sress could prevent the strike, and
some went so far as to say that i,
must prevent il and would. but they
added that public discussion about The
method Of accomplishing this result
should await an actual break i'm pend
Ing negotiations.
Senator NcWlands, after leaving the
White House to-day. said:
In event OF q strike the most sc.
ious immediate problem will he tina
Of keeping the railroads in operatiou,
and determining how far the Federal
government should 20 to prevent de-
mo-alization OF business. 4 strike OF
the dimensions Of that now threatened
would be civil war. IT Is idle TO IL
more the fact that such strike could
not be won without force. II would be
necessary for the government TO use
force, and 10 resort to the militia and
every other agency at its disposal "a
onset violence and keep the roads open,
the matter Of forcing operation OF the
roads ~ " serious problem for Con
Sless to consider
Tho railroad brothcrhoodS at q
: mass.meeting here to-day delegated