Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-03-15

bunal In the hope that our employees
would join with us in seeking the judg-
ment of such a board of inquiry, we
earnestly urged that the whole case
be referred to:
1.-THE interstate commerce COM
mission. the government body regu-
lating the transportation industry in
the public interest, or,
"a board of arbitration under the
Newlands arbitration act of 1913, a law
enacted at the joint request of the en-
ploves and the carriers; or,
ga board of inquiry to be ap-
pointed by the president.
Our offers for a peaceful settlement
were all rejected bv the brotherhoods.
If we had refused to meet with our
employees to discuss their demands or
if we had refused to submit the issue
to arbitration, this great body of work
men might have been justified in leav-
ing the service. But, under the circum-
stances, the threat of a nation wide
strike was indefensible. We left ev-
cry door open for a fair determination
of the merits of the controversy and
every door is still open.
The Adamson railroad wage law,
hastily enacted last summer to avert
the threatened strike, is now before
the highest court for a determination
as to it's constitutionality and meaning.
The railroads entered into an agree
ment with the government to keep the
payroll records of these 100000 en-
ployes from January l in such manner
as to assure prompt payment to the
employees of whatever amounts may be
due under the construction placed up
on the act by the court. The brother
hoods on their part, publicly stated that
they would take no radical action pend
ing the decision of the court.
Congress has made no provision, so
earnestly urged by the president, for
insurance against the interruption OF
railway traffic by strike, and the coun-
try is apparently in the same position
now that it was in the crisis of last
August.
1.-The serious international situation
causes every good citizen to put every
thought of personal right or desire sec
ond to his duty to his country. Surely
this is no time for internal industrial
warfare The reported shortage of food
and the generally congested traffic OF
the country bring forcefully to all our
minds what would happen in the event
Of a stoppage of the railroads OF the
country.
with this situation before US, we
feel confident that the patriotism and
loyalty of our men will not counten-
ance any rash movement which may
seriously embarrass the government
and give the impression outside our
borders that this country is torn by in
dustrial strife, and therefore, an easy
prev to any foreign foe"
After they had seen this statement
the brotherhood chiefs issued the fol-
lowing:
The nearly two hundred chairmen of
the transportation organizations meet
ing here today, representing number
of principal lines in eastern territory,
unanimously approved the compromise
proposition presented to the managers
committee last December, in the hope
at that time of a peaceful settlement
THE railroads, after having refused
to accept a settlement of the eight hour
controversy proposed by President VIII
son last August, and after having re-
fused to observe the eight hour law
enacted by congress, must accept re-
sponsibility for strike should it take
place. 1t is too late for them to now
pose as patriots, hoping thereby to de-
feat the just contentious of their en-
ployes.
I'VE have requested a renewal of
negotiations commencing tomorrow IN
the hope of affecting a peaceful set
tlement.
Resolutions were adopted here today
by the board of trustees of the Amerl-
can Defence Society stating that in
view of the international situation
widespread railway strike would in
evitably result in appalling conse
quences to the nation and would so
delay supplies and munitions as to
prove in truth a direct blow at our own
naval and military arm" Such answers,
it was declared, could be characterized
only as treason to the United States.
1t was also discrediting organized la
Dor, the resolution said.