Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-14

washington, Aug. f4.-Railroad man
ayers and brotherhood leaders, dead
.iockedl In negotiations which threaten
a national-wide railroad strike. today
laid their case before President VII
son.
First came thirty 1--we representatives
OF the brotherhoods who conferred with
the president at 10 o'clock. They were
followed by the railroad managers.
i. The brotherhood representatives were
firm In their determination not to ao-
cent arbitration under the Newlands
act. There were some indications that
the president might propose special ar
;bitration before q board OF twelve
members, on which the four great
could bs7rsprsssntsds -
sss Meme psmands Hsard. VI VI
z The presidents conference with the
men was opened with q statement Dy
"A. B. Garretson, Of the conductors, as
the Spokesman. He outlined the de-
shands for an eight hour day and time
and a half for overtime. He insisted
that the demands were fair.
President Wilson then addressed the
men, pointing out what disaster would
follow a strike, and asking the specific
things on which the employees were pre-
pared to insist. Mr.. Wilson promised
10 take up the question with the man
ayers In an effort to find common
ground on which the two sides might
agree.
Says Newtands Act Fails.
The first development of today was
q declaration by A. b. Garretson, speak
ing for the brotherhoods, that the men
were thru with the proposition of arbi-
trating under the Newlands act. Previ-
Gus arbitration under that law, he reit-
Grated, has demonstrated that the neu-
trail arbitrators held the balance Of
power. He declared that any specific
arbitra ton into which the men might
agree to enter would have to make pro-
vision for the extension Of those arbi-
TRAITORS to give the men what they con-
sidered a fair chance.
The men were expected to return to
New York for further conferences with
the managers tomorrow and had re-
engaged the hall where they have been
meeting.
Arbitration Damned.
The chief objection to the existing
form OF arbitration on the part Of the
brotherhoods" said Garretson today,
"centers on the difficulty that has been
experienced in selecting neutral arb.-
traitors, who will do Justice to the men.
In the past there have been neutral ar
bitrators of high standing but no mat
ter how honest their intentions they
could not bring to bear on the ques-
tions at issue the disinterestedness nec-
essary. j.
The appointments Of neutral arbi-
traitors In the past under the Newlands
act have damned arbitration as a prac-
tical proposition in the minds Of the
men,"
Managers to See Wilson.
After being with the president two
hours the representatives Of the men
left the White House and Mr.. Garrett
son said they expected to see the pres
tdent again later in the day. Mr.. Gar
retson refused to say whether the out
look was hopeful.
AS long as the matter IS in Presi-
dent Wilson's hands we will have no
statement to make" said Mr.. Garrett
son,
Later twas arranged that the man
ayers should see the president at /!
O'clock this afternoon, and in the
meantime the president would keep
other important engagements.
At. the White House it was said no
information regarding the progress of
the conferences could be given
Situation Most Encouraging.
One of the leaders of the four broth
erhoods characterized the conference
with the president as most encour-
aging and declared the outlook for the
prevention Of a general strike was
hopeful.
Mr.. Garretson, when asked whether
the negotiations were off, replied:
Absolutely not"
Administration officials expressed
confidence that a strike would be pre-
vented.
There were suggestions. purely in
formal. emanating from scorces in