New Britain herald., 1916-08-14
C0nfers With K; road Men, Who \ press Confidence
 His Ability to ? vent Great Strike


 managers and brotherhood lea
 deadlocked in negotiations wA threaten a nation wide railroad s% today laid their case before Presi8 Wilson.
 First came thirty-five represe8 tiVes of the brotherhoods, who ferred with the president shortly ter 10 o'clock. They were folld by the committee of managers.
 The brotherhood men went & the conference firm in their al N imitation not to accept arbitra% under the Newlands Act, which 8 contend has always furnished sH traitors before whom the men didN have an unprejudiced opportunity& There were some indications the president, recognizing that N might propose a special arbitraz before a board of twelve memberS which the four brotherhoods coulH represented. The presidents plan was to arl to managers and men on the hid patriotic grounds to find a wal compose their differences witho1 Y strike. Garretson Outlines Demands. The presidents conference with men was opened with a statement 1 A. B. Garretson of the conductori | spokesman. He outlined the deh} 1 for an eight hour day and time l a half for over time. He insi l that the demands were fair. PI 1 dent Wilson then addressed the l pointing out what disaster would| 1 low general strike and insia that an agreement must be read ] The president then asked to Id the specific things on which the ployes were prepared to insist
 Garretson did most of the talking
 the men and he and the presi
 discussed the situation thoroud
 MT. Wilson promised to take the mandS up with the managers i'd
 effort to find a common ground which the two sides could meet
 said he was anxious to settle
 difficulty as quickly as possible was prepared to remain in contini conference all day if necessary. After being with the president 1 hours, the representatives of the left the White House and MT. GaI l son said they expected to see l president again later in the day d 1 N MT. Garretson refused to say whel ! the outlook was hopeful. AS long as the matter is in P1 ident Wilson's hands we will 13 no statement to make" said Garretson. The president immediately sent5 the railroad managers to lay bel them the position of the workn8
 It was arranged that the mana& should see the president at o'cA this afternoon and that meanwA the president would keep one or other important engagements, cIuding one with MT. Chambers. the federal board.
 At the White House it was no indication could be given of & progress of the negotiations until ter the president saw the managM
 Outlook Hopeful.
 One Of the leaders of the IN brotherhoods after leaving the WE House, characterized the confereN with the president as most couraging" and declared the outlA for the prevention of a general stI was hopeful"
 Mr. Garretson was asked whetE the negotiations were off. He repliH 'Ab~, ely not"
 Confidence in President.
 Wife TO grounds for the feela were given, administration officials pressed confidence that the pr7 dents intervention would result averting a strike.
 The president, according to thN who attended the conference, shoTs ] familiarity with the situation IN surprised the men.
 The president was most sympath| ic," said one of the brotherhood led CTS, and his surprising lSnowledge| the situation of our position may 'ult in an understanding bel reached"
 The president, it was said subn1 ted no counter proposition to the m but he held out hope for an adjI nent by legislation, if necessary.
 The impresslon prevailed among brotherhood leaders that as a last sort the president might ask congrI for eight hour day legislation.
 The leaders explained to the prd den their stand against arbitration saying that they were carrying q the wishes of the 600 delegates VI sat with them at their meeting VI the federal mediatCrs. The delegat he president was told, in voting whether they should accept or reJeS he mediator's proposal to arbltrs voted unanimously for rejection.
 The brotherhood leaders presenta 70 the president detailed reports K
 (Continued on Eleventh PaSe.)