Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 194, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 August 1916 — Mediators Tell Defeat of Plan to Avoid Strike. [ARTICLE]

Mediators Tell Defeat of Plan to Avoid Strike.

New York, August 13.—The statement of the federal board of mediation explaining the failure to restore peace between the railroads and their employes, issued by Martin A. Knapp, chairman of the board, just before their departure for Washington, follows:

“After repeated efforts to bring about an arbitration of the pending controversy between the railroads and their employes in train and yard serv - ice the United Stated board of med iation and conciliation today was advised by the representatives of the employes that they would not submit the matters in dispute to arbitrati >n in any form. “The employes further stated to the board that they would not arbitrate their own demands, even if the contingent demands of the railroads were withdrawn, and also declined to suggest any other plan or method for a peaceful settlement of the controversy. “They were informed that their decision would be at once made known to President Wilson and also that tae president claimed the right to a personal interview with both parties before any drastic action was taken. This request, of course, granted, and a large delegation of employes, with a number of railroad managers, will be in Washington Monday for a conference with the president. “Early in the negotiations the railroads had informed the board of med , ation ahd conciliation that they would accept arbitration.”