South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-17
Brotherhood Chiefs Tell Me-
diatOrS That Only DeCIara-
ton of War Will Keep
Them From Striking.
WILSON PREPARED TO
TAKE DRASTIC STEPS
Appeals to Patriotism of Men,
But 1t is Understood Will
Act in Case WaIkout
is Called.
international News Service:

International News Service:
NEW YORK. March II. - An
eight-hour day with 10 hours pay
for railroad workers is the only
thing that can prevent the first move
IN the nationwide railway strike
from being made tonight.
brotherhood chiefs made this en-
phatically plain as they resumed
their conference this morning with
the mediatOrs appointed by Pres't
Wilson. They made il clear that
under no circumstances would they
back down
Pres't Wilson's mediators were
plainly pessimistic as they entered
the conference. They have about
given mp hope of a peaceable set
Element II We learned this morn
ins that the brotherhood chiefs. i'm
the conference last night, told the
government mediators that they had
determined upon showdown at
this time They Informed the
mediators that only declaration of
war would keep them from insisting
ON the S-hour day with 10 hours
pay
Have Sweeping Powers.
The members of Pres't Wilson'S
cabinet, who are acting as media
tors. are known 10 have come here
armed with sweeping powers To
prevent strike at any cost How
great their powers are Is undeterm-
iped hut IL is understood Pres't Will
son has authorized them 20 notify
the disa greeting parties he will use
the fun extent Of his authority 10
prevent the transportation tie-up.
First attempts at settlement by the
mediators were based entirely on
loyalty and patriotism. Pres't Will
sons plea 70 the disagreeing fac
tions was voiced by Sec'y Lane. who
outlined the calamity which a strike
would entail It is known that the
president expects the plea Of pa
triotism 20 bring about an agree
ment. but IL this fails To be effective
ne viii take drastic measure.
Compromise Favored.
70 was authoritatively stated that
the railway managers favor a com
promise. Their proposition 10 the
employees will be that they accept
the terms OF the switchmen's award
pending a decision on the Adamson
eight-hour law The switchmens
award would give the men nine
hours pay for eight hours Of work.
The Adamson law provides for 10
hours pay for eight hours work.
Thus far the employees have given
no intimation OF willingness 10 ac-
cept any compromise.
The brotherhood leaders have told
the mediators that II they backed
down at this time they would lose
their power in their orders and that
the brotherhOods might be broken
up. There is known 70 he an under
current OF feeling among the
rrotherhood's memberships that the
four chiefs were tricked last fall i'm
the mediation proceedings that re-
suited In the Adamson law being
enacted. The leaders are blamed by
p Great many Of the members FOR
allowing the matter TO drag along.
They hold that the strike should
have been called before the pro-
ceedinEs got so far.
Dare Not stop Strike.
with this feeling plainly appar-
er+ the brotherhood chiefs have in
formed the government mediators
chat thew dare not take any steps
20 prevent the strike order from
soing into effect.
only three Of the four mediators
appointed by the president were
present when the conference with
The brotherhood leaders was re
sumed. They we're Sec'y OF the In
terror Lane. Sec'y Of Labor Wilson
and Daniel willard. president OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. sam
mel Gompers. president OF the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor. the fourth
member. was not present and no
one had any knowledge Of h3s where
bouts.
The conference with the brother
hood chiefs was expected To last
until II o'clock. The railway ex-
ecutfves we're then scheduled 20 meet
the mediators IL was hoped by the
rnediators 20 have another joint ses-
sion OF the brotherhood chiefs and
the railway executives al noon.