The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-17
A 4S-HOur Truce Agreed Upon
This Afternoon.
Both Sides in Conference With
MediatOrs All Day.
WHERE'S GOMPERS, MYSTERY
Can't Find Federation Presi-
dent, Named as Mediator.
PeacemakerS Meet Both Sides
This Afternoon.

New York, March 17.-Secre-
tary Lane, of the federal media
ton committee, announced at
3:45 o'clock that it had been
agreed to postpone the railroad
strike for AZ hours.
He gave out the following
statement:
"At our request and out of an
appreciation of the national sit
uation the brotherhoods and
the railroad managers have re-
sumed negotiations. In the
hope that some adjustment may
be had that will avoid the neces-
sity for a strike, the brother
hoods have wired or telephoned
their general chairmen asking
that all action be postponed for
48 hours, and unless prior to
that time advised of a settle
ment, the men will leave the SER
vice under the authority already
given
The statement is signed by
Secretary Franklin K. Lane, Sec
! airy William B. Wilson and
Daniel Willard, three of the four
mediators. Samuel Gompers,
the fourth mediator, did not
participate in the conference at
anv time. -.
Meet Again Tomorrow Morning.
A joint conference between the
mediators. the brotherhood chiefs and
the railroad mana gers will be held at
10 O'Clock tomorrow morning. when
the negotiations for the settlement
will be resumed.
The forty-eight hours postponement
dates from o'clock tonight eastern
time) the hour at which the strike
was to have gone into effect
Undoubtedly there is hope" said
Mr. Lane when asked his opinion of
the situation. I'VE will meet here at
10 o'clock tomorrow morning and will
then take up the situation and go on
as we have been going
Better Feeling Between Sides.
Secretary Wilson said:
Il concur with everything Secretary
there is undoubtedly a more pacific
feeling. l think the men on both sides
now feel better towards each other
than they did"
Expect Court Decision Monday.
1t was pointed out that this post
ponement of forty eight hours will al
low time for a possible decision by
the supreme court on the constitu
tionality of the Adamson law on Mon
day. The agreement was reached at
r1,+ dow # arsffx
ending mediation and conferences.
Both the brotherhoods chiefs and
the railroad managers came from the
conference in the happiest mood they
exhibited in the last ten days.
Their apparent optimism was taken
by observers as an indication of con-
fidence in the ultimate outcome of the
negotiations.
Daniel Willard, president of the Bal
timore & Ohio was asked what he
thought of the situation.
Good Chance To Settle 1t.
Look at those faces and Judge for
yourself" he said, pointing to the
conferees. The mediators are prepar-
ed now to take the last step that will
end probably even the remotest dan
ger of nationwide paralysis of rail-
road traffic.
Confidence vas expressed that with
4S hours at their disposal the medi-
ators would accomplish some agree
of a strike Just exactly what form
their efforts now will take, they did
not explain in detail but it was clear
that the most serious barriers in the
way of peace had been overcome.
Four Reasons Why No Strike
While the federal eight-hour strike
mediators were closeted with the four
trainmen's brotherhood chiefs for
more than three hours today, railroad
managers gave out again their four
arguments which they claim proves
there will be no strike.
The reasons are:
The railroads don't want strike;
the brotherhoods don't dare go thru
with their threat; it would be a calam-
ity which the country cannot face, and
by some method President Wilson will
prevent u strike
The brotherhoods had given no
statement up to l o'clock and the rail-
way managers had not yet held their
scheduled conference with the media
ton commission.
The length of the brotherhoods' con-
ference taken in conjunction with the
belligerent and determined attitude Of