The sun., 1917-03-17
Council for Defence Be-
lieyed to Have Found a
Compromise.
FINAL PROPOSALS
TO BE MADE TO-DAY
Conference at BiltmOre
Takes Hopeful Turn Early
This Morning.

There was every indication early this
merning that President Wilson's COM
mittee Of mediators. sent to New York
to try to avert the threatened railroad
strike had found common ground for
compromise between the big Four"
brotherhoods chiefs and the conference
committee of the managers and that the
strike would not go into effect tonight
at 6 o'clock, as arranged
A set Of propositions embodying the
views of each party to the controversy
was being drawn UP following many
hours of deliberation. and 1t was au-
thoritatively stated that they will be
presented for final consideration to-day.
Having invited the managers to take
part in the conference. the Federal One-
Gators, headed by Secretary of the In
terror Franklin X. Lane, kept them in
an adjoining room at the Hotel Biltmore
while they threshed out further matters
with the brotherhood chiefs.
At o'clock this morning the brother
hood men were dismissed from the con-
ference and the mediators Immediately
took ~ consideration Of the strike with
the managers in secret session.
Secretary Lane announced shortly at
sued until the questions which had been
discussed. and presumably decided upon,
had been submitted jointly TO both the
managers and the men.
No word having come out Of the
council chamber the strike order is still
on. Whether II will remain in effect
will depend on the conciliatory efforts
Of the members of the defence board.
Those who argued with the brotherhood
chiefs to suspend the employment OF
their drastic weapon, Daniel Willard,
Secretary Lane of the Interior Depart
ment and Secretary Wilson of the De-
partment of Labor. lacked the potent
voice of Samuel Gompers, head of the
American Federation OF Labor who had
heen nominated with them. Gompers.
who recently effected a treaty with the
hrotherhoods. failed to reach the con-
ference up TO the moment OF going to
press.
Managers Reply to Wilson.
President: Wilson by telegram ap-
pealed to both sides in the controversy
TO appreciate the country's crisis before
they permitted the strike to be called
Within two hours after his message was
received the national conference COM
mittee of managers sent this reply to
me Chief Executive:
NEW YORK, MarCn 10, 1910.
The President, the White House,
Washington. ID. c.:
IN harmony with the spirit Of your
message the national conference COM
mttee Of the railways will cooperate
with the committee of the Council OF
National Defence in an earnest effort
TO avert the national calamity which
would result from an interruption of
railway traffic. ELISHA LEE.
Chairman of the National Confer
ence Committee of the Railways.
The brotherhoods waived answer un-
I'll after they had learned the intent Of
the Presidents board. They had trans
nit'ed no communication up to 12
o'clock last night.
How can we reply" asked Warren S.
stone, one Of the chiefs. until We learn
what these men are after? We know as
little about their object as any one
else"
No Threat From President.
Mr. Willard, who has the unique posi-
uon OF a man attempting as a Federal
of1icer to head off a strike in which his
own road, the Baltimore and Ohio. Is
among the first victims. arrived in town
IN advance of his colleagues. He was in
conference with the managers committee
rived on the Congressional Limited.
Il bring with me no club, there are
no plans that I intend TO force" he
kd'd My purpose, with that OF the
BOARD, simply is to trs to reconcile dif-
ieEences SO that this strike may be
averted in the present national crisis.
can assure YOU ! will employ no
threats nor do ! carry any from Presi-
dent Wilson,
Within few minutes after his arrival
ne met the brotherhood chiefs, w. @.
Lee, Warren s. stone. W. S, carter and
l.. L Sheppard They were sulen and
unwilling to talk.
The brotherhoods have made reply
70 President Wilson's appeal not to
strife" ne was informed.
You don't have to tell me what II con
h'ns | know without reading II that
they are heartily in favor Of having this
situation comes to pass" he said.
Vie turned over to Lee. the spokesman
OF the group, copy OF the profrered tele-
Gram. Lee grunted and made no COM
ment
The chiefs went to the private cham.
her that had been reserved for the con-
Terence, and there they met willard and
Secretary Lane. Within an hour Secre.
'ary Wilson reached the hotel.
u bear no mandate from Presiden,
Wilson or any one else" he said 81
have no definite idea OF what Is going
10 happen, We are here simply to con.
Ser and until that conference is ended
"" can tell you nothing"
None ~ the media tors could explair
N" absence of Samuel Gompers He wa.
"Npected TO arrive in New York viii
.urm, but before their departure from
Wellington they heard nothing from
him
II Is probable that because of III,
snminence Of the strike that the con.
Continued on EIGHTH Paes,