The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-19
Rail Heads of U. S. Agree to
Plan if Crisis Comes.
Gives Wilson Free Hand to
Prevent General Strike.
NOW UP TO d BROTHERHOODS
Have Agreed to Mediation But
Not to Arbitration.
Workers Confer With President
Wilson Thursday.

Washington. Nov. 19.-Formal an
nouncement was made today that the
railroads of the United States had de-
cided, if any crisis should arise, TO
place their interests in the hands of
President Wilson for protection and
such disposition as he may deem
necessary to prevent interruption of
transportation during the war.
The four railroad brotherhoods,
who have made demands for increased
wages, have agreed to mediation of
the dispute, but have refused an un-
conditional submission of tn queS-
tions to a board of arbitration.
Todays announcement by the rail-
road war board is regarded by Off
cials as eliminating the possibility OF
a strike by giving the president free
hand so far as the railroads are con-
cerned, when he meets the brother
hood leaders in conference here next
Thursday.
! Formally Announce Plan.
! Fairfax Harrison, chairman of the
executive committee of the American
Railway a o n, commonly
/ known as the war board, wrote this
/ letter to Judge William L. Chambers,
chairman of the United States board
of mediation and Cancellation. who
conferred with various railroad exc
cutives in New York. Saturday and
with war board today:
I'VE confirm what we said to you
| this morning in reply to your in
quiry as to what will be the attitude
! of the railroads with respect to the
manner of settlement of any demands
! for increases in pay or changes in
working conditions which. during the
war may be made upon them by
| employees.
/ Speaking for all the railroads to-
day, we reiterate our belief in. and
| general acceptance of, the principle
| of arbitration. In the midst of war
we are, however. prepared to go fur
ther. AS no interruption of contin-
4uous railroad operation can be toler-
ated under war conditions, we are
ready, should any crisis now arise,
unreservedly to place our interests in
the hands of the president for pro-
4! lection and for disposition as he may
determine is necessary in the public
Interests
Entire War Board Present
The entire war board was present
at the conference with Judge Cham
bers, including Mr.. Harrison, presi-
dent of the Southern railroad, and
Presidents Howard Elliot of the New
Haven, Hale G. Holden, Chicago, Bur
lington & Quincy, julius Kruttschnitt
Southern Pacific and Samuel Rea,
Pennsylvania
Represent tives of the brotherhoods
will confer Thursday with the presi-
delll regarding lne points at issue and
means Of settlement. 1t is expected
that the railroad war board will meet
Immediately after this conference to
learn the attitude of their employees
Suggestions are being given consid-
GRAFTON by officials. based on the ex-
perience of foreign countries. that in
stead of adjustment of this single dis
pute. new agency should be created
or the board of mediation or inter
state commerce commission be en-
powered to consider railroad wage
Questions continuously thIuout the
war, making adjustments at stated
periods, possibly three months. which
and loss of operating personnel
thru attraction to other trades
paying higher wages England
has put such a plan into effect the
board of trade having power to ad-
just wages and also rates, to compen-
safe the roads for the increased cost
of labor.