Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-17

Il TCSlQSIlt D ID - a u VI
Mediation, made this an
nouncement at the Bllt-
more Hotel, late this af-
ternoon, after an all
night and all day confer
ence with representa-
tives of the four brotherhoods and
executives who have been handling
the affairs of the railways.
Earlier Report on Strike.
New York, March 17-An eight hour
day with ten hour pay for railroad
workers is the only thing that can pre-
vent the first move in the nationwide
railway strike from being made to-
night.
Brotherhood chiefs made this EN-.
phatically plain as they resumed their
conference this morning with the
meiiatcrs appointed by President Will
son. They made it clear that under
no circumstances would they back
down,
President Wilson's mediators were
plainly pessimistic as they entered the
conference They have about given
up hope of peaceable settlement. 1t
was learned this morning that the
Brotherhood chiefs IN the conference
last night told the government media
/ tors that they had determined upon a
showdown at this time. They in.
1 formed the mediators that only a dec.
/ laration of war would keep them from
insisting on the eight hour day with
. zen hours pay.
Shortly before the departure of the
,.rotherhocd leaders, Elisha Lee,
chairman of the railway executives ap-
peared with other railway leaders and
entered the conference. a short time
later the brotherhood leaders left the
conference room They refused 10
make any statement.
When the session finally adjourned
at 4 a. m. neither the government
mediators nor the railway leaders
would make any statement bat it is
known that no agreement was search
ed
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
A Ion pf T a nsI
member Of the National council of de
feAse who was named as one Of the
medators by the President, has not
arrived and his whereabouts are un-
known
The members of President Wilson's
cabinet who are acting as mediators
arc known to have come here armed
with sweeping powers to prevent a
strike at any cost How great their
powers are is undetermined, but 1t Is
understood President Wilsan has the
authorized them to notify the disagree
ing parties he will use the full extent
Of his authority to prevent the trans
portation tie.up
First attempts at settlement by the
mediators were based entirely on 10y
atty and patriotism President VIII
sons plea to the disagreeing fac
tions was voiced by Secretary Lane,
who outlined the calamity which a
strike would entail It is known that
the President expects the plea Of pat
rjotsm to bring about an agreement
s but If this fails tc be effective he viii
5 take drastic measures
= II was authoritatyeiy stated that
2 the railway managers favor a com
f promise Their proposition to the EN-
f ployes viii be that They accept the
S terms Of the switchmn award pend
y ing a decision on the hdamson eight
hour law The switchmcng award
would give the mun nine holrs' pay
for eight hours OF work The Adam
son law provides for ten hours pay
for eight hours work Thus far the
J employees have given no intimat'on ol
:" willingness to accept any comprom
II ise.
" The brotherhood leaders have toll
= The mediators that G they backed
~ down at this time they would los'
" their power in their orders and tha
- " the brotherhoods might be broken up
=, There Is known to be an undereur
" rent of feeling among the brother
hoods memberships that the Fou
a Chiefs were tricked last foil in th'
a mediation proceedings that resdltei
,s In the Adamson law being enacted