Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1916 — STRIKE ORDER IS ISSUED [ARTICLE]

STRIKE ORDER IS ISSUED

Railroads to Bo Tied Up By Unions Next Monday. CONGRESS WILL TAKE ACTION And It Is Probable That Quick Results Will Be Had—Milk Trains and Passenger Service Not Included in Tie-Up. Washington, D. C., Aug. 28.—. Looming over the people is the menace of the nation-wide railroad strike, which President Wilson has been strenuously endeavoring to avert. The most alarming moment in the negotiations between the President and the railroad executiven and the President and the brotherhoods was reached tonight. During the conference between the President and the railroad executives this afternoon, Mr. Wilson was informed that the brotherhoods had issued a strike order. The President’s face reflected hie astonishment. He not only expressed surprise but absolute unbelief in the information. The railroad managers insisted they were telling the truth. Tonight they sent to the White House one of the strike orders. The President could no longer doubt the authenticity of the information given him by the railroad executives. That he was justified, however, in regarded them as misinformed is explained by the fact that on August 12 he telegraphed to the board of mediation in New York to notify both parties to the controversy that no final Btep must be taken

without giving him a chance to intervene. As soon as he saw the strike order the President sent for the four brotherhood chairmen. He expressed to them astonishment at their action and manifested emphatically his disapproval of their course. He declared it would not do for the strike to take place, and he demanded that the strike order be recalled. The brotherhood chairmepr,calmly replied that the situation had passed out of their hands and that the order could not be reeallel. The President dismissed the brotherhood chairmen. Then he notified the railroad executives of the negative results of his conference with the brotherhood chairmen. Thereupon the railroad executives informed that there was no other recourse open for them than to go home and prepare to cope with the strike. Some left tonight. Others will depart tomorrow'. The President expressed regret at their decision, but urged that a committee be left here to continue negotiations. The executives agreed to comply with the President’s wish. They are holding a session tonight discussing the entire situation and formulating instructions for the commiltee. It is confidently predicted, in spite of the brotherhood claims, that the strike cannot be prolonged beyond four days. C oncentration will be made upon certain kinds of traffic, such as food, mUk, etc.

The brotherhoods announce their willingness to permit the milk trains to be run; also trains carrying supplies for the troops along the border. Passenger trains also will be exempt from the strike. Passenger trains may haul express parcels, but if a freight car he attached to such a train, the strike will be extended to that class of transportation. The sensational developments growing out of the revelat.ior of the strike order to the President took place while the latter and Senator Newlands, who is operating with him, were endeavoring to formulate a program of legislation which would avert the strike. The President spent the morning conferring with members of the senate, and for two hours and 40 minutes was in secret session with the nine members of the steering committee of the senate. It was decided that the President should go before a joint session of congress tomorrow' or Wednesday and recommend enactment of the following legislative program: 1. A bill establishing the eighthour day on all common carriers, which day should be inaugurated 30 or 60 days after the President’s approval of the measure. 2. A bill instructing the interstate commerce commission to consider the wages paid by the roads in connection with the fixing of freight rates. 3. A bill increasing the membership of the interstate commerce commission from seven to nine members. 4. A bill creating an industrial commission bill similar/;o that in Canada, which would have the power to prohibit all strike or lockout activities pending an investigation and publication of the report made.