South Bend News-Times, Volume 33, Number 245, South Bend, St. Joseph County, 1 September 1916 — Page 3

THE SOUTH BEND NEWS-TIMES

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The Railroads' statement of their position on the threatened strike, as presented to the President of the United States

A strike on all the railroads of the country has been called by the Train

Brotherhoods for 7 o'clock Monday morning, September 4.

i nis strme was ordered rrom wasningion wnne ine r resident oi mc United States was making every effort to avert the disaster. The Final Railroad Proposal The final proposal made by the railroads for a peaceful settlement of the con-

troversy, but which was rejected by the brotherhoods, was as follows:

(a) The railroads will, pfioctive September i, 1916. keep the time of all men represented in this movement, upon an 8 hour basis and by separate account, monthly, Tvith each man, maintain a record of the difference betwrrn the money actually earned by him on the present basis and the amount that would have been earned upon an 8 hour basis overtime on each basis to be computed pro rata. The amounts so shown will be subject to the decision of the Commission, provided for in Paragraph (c) of this memorandum and payable in money, as may be directed by said Commission in its findings and decision. (b) The Interstate Commerce Commission to supervise the keeping of these accounts and report the increased cost of the 8 hour basis, after such period of

actual experience as their judgment approves or the President may fix, not, however, less than three months. (c) In view of the far-reaching consequences of the declaration made by the President, accepting the 8 hour day, not only upon the railroads and the classes of labor involved directly in this controversy, but to the public and upon all industry, it seems plain that before the existing conditions are changed, the whole subject in so far as it afTects the railroads and their employees, should be investigated and determined by a Commission to be appointed by the President, of such standing as to compel attention and respect to its findings. The judgment of such a Commission would be a helpful basis for adjustments with labor and such legislation as intelligent public opinion, s informed, might demand.

Statement of Executives to the President Tn snbmitting this proposal to the President, the fifty railroad executives called to Washington and representing all the great arteries of traffic, made this statement to him of their convictions:

The demands in this controversy have not been presented, in our judgment, for the purpose of fixing a definite daily period of labor, nor a reduction in the existing hotirs of labor or change in methods of operation, but for the real purpose of accomplishing an increase in wages of approximately One Hundred Million Dollan per annum, or 3 5 per cent, for the men in railroad freight train and yard service represented by thz labor organizations in this matter. After careful examination of the facts and patient and continuous consultation with the Conference Committee of Managers, ami among ourselves, we have reached a clear understanding of the magnitude of the questions, and of the serious consequences to the railroads and to the public, involved in the decision of them. Trustees for the Public As trustees for the public served by our lines and for the great mass of the less powerful employees (not loss than Sc per cent, of the whole number) interested in the railroad wage fund as trustees also for the millions of people that have invested their savings and capital in the bonds and stock of these properties, and who through the saving1 banks, trust companies and insurance companies, are vitally interested to the extent of millions of dollars, In the integrity and solvency of the railroads of the country, we cannot in conscience surrendcrivithout a hearing, the principle involved, nor undertake to transfer the enormous cost that will result to the transportation of the commerce of the country. The eight -hour day without punitive overtime involves an annual increase, approximately, in the aggregate of Sixty Millions of Dollars., and an increase of more than ;o per cent, in the pay of the men, nlrrady the most highly paid in the transportation sen-ice. The ultimate cost to the railroads of an admission in this manner of the principle under contention cannot now be estimated; the effect upon the efficiency of the transportation of the country now already under severe test under the tide of business no- moving, and at a time when more, instead of less,

effort is required for the public weifare, would be harmful beyond calculation. The widespread effect upon the industries of the country a a whole 13 beyond measure or appraisement at this time, and we agree with the insistent and widespread public concern over the gravity of the situation and the consequences of a surrender by the railroads in this emergency. In like manner we are deeply impressed with the sense of our responsibility to maintain and keep open the arteries of transportation, which carry the life blood of the commerce of the country, and of the consequences that will flow from even temporary interruption of service over the railroads, but the issues presented have been raised abore and beyond the social and monetary questions involved, and the responsibility for the consequences that may arise .will rest upon those that provoke it. Public Investigation Urged The questions involved are in our respectful judgment, eminently suitable for the calm investigation and decision by the public through the agency of fair arbitration, and cannot be disposed of, to the public satisfaction, in any otlwer manner. The decision of a Commission or Board of Arbitration, having the public confidence, will be accepted by the public, and the social and financial rearrangements made necessary thereby will be undertaken by the public, but in no less deliberate nor orderly manner. The railroads of the country cannot under present conditions assume this enormous increase in their expenses. If imposed upon them, it would involve many in early financial embarrassment and bankruptcy and imperil the power of all to maintain their credit and the integrity of their securities. The immediate increase in cost, followed by other increases that would be inevitable, would substantially appropriate the present purchasing power of the railroads and disable them from expanding and improving their facilities and equipment, to keep abreast of the demands of the country for efficient transportation service.

In good faith we have worked continuously and earnestly in a sincere effort to solve the problem in justice to all the-parties at interest. These efforts were still in progress when the issuance of the strike order showed them to be unavailing. Problem Threatens Democracy Itself The strike, if it comes, will be forced upon the country by the best paid class of laborers in the world, at a time when the country has the greatest need for transportation efficiency. The problem presented is not that alone of the railroad or business world, but involving democracy itself, and sharply presents the question whether any group of citizens should be allowed to possess the power to imperil the life of the country by conspiring to block the arteries of commerce.

HALE IIOLDKN, Chicago, Burlington A Quioey Rtilrotd. W. W. ATTKRBURY, Pennsylvania Railroad. FAIRFAX HARRISON, Southern Railway.

R. S. LOVRTT, Union Pacific System E. P. RIPLEY. Atchitoa, T;ka & Santa Pe System.

A. M. SMITH, New York Central Lines. FRANK TRUMBULL, Chesapeake .1 Ohio Railway. DANIEL WILL ARD, baltimtire a.id Ohio Railroad.

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Such Is Belief in London Due to Hurried Reinforcements Austria Is Sending to the Frontier.

LONDON. ept. 1. The whole interest in the uar is now focused on the Halkans and on th German field " marshal. von Hindenburfr. Itoumania's participation s considered here important not only from the accession of a fresh trmy, hut from the opportunity it sives the Russian army to extend its lase and to cooperate with Rouir.ania on Halkian and Transylvania territory irtuallv as one army against the Austrian?. Another important factor is ,'he tloinp of the Danube, the principal route for the shipment of munitions from Germany to Turkey and the shipping of supplies to Germany. Central Towers Unprepared? Reports differ as to whether the central powers were ready for Roumania's entry. While Austrian official messages assert that AustriaHungary was prepared, dispatches to the newspapers say that the central powers were so confident of Roumania's neutrality that they left the boundary thinly .guarded and that they are hurrvins reinforcements from every quarter, while the inhabitants are fleeing panic-stricken before the Roumania advance. The possibilities of RulEaria weakening and of the Greek people forcing the government to mobilize and resist Bulgarian occupation of the territory in Greece recently won from Turkey are much discussed. Kinz Ferdinand of Bulgaria is visiting Vienna, and Knslish speculation is that he fears to return to his kingdom and is prepared to abdicale. Artillery Aothc. Artillery is active on all the battle fronts of Europe, but only on the Transylvania-Roumanian border has Infantry been engaged to any extent. Dad weather hampers operations in France; the Russians and Austro-Germans on the eastern line are resting as are the entente forces and the armies of the central powers in Macedonia .and the Austrians and Italian? have yet to renew their desperate fighting of a week ago. Along the whole line of the lower

J Carpathians, the Roumanian armies

are reported attacking the AustroHungarian forces. The defenders are said to have retired to their second fortified line. Take New Positions. Northeast of Kronstadt, the Aus-tro-Hungarians have taken new positions west of Csik Fzerede on the Atula river, after righting with the Roumanians. Thi shows that the troops of King Ferdinand have broken through the mountains on eastern border of Transylvania n weil as on the south. Roumanian attacks east tf the Irongate on the Ianube were repulsed Vienna says. Russian troops are marching through Dobrudja. but whether to strike at Bulgaria north of Varn.i or to aid the Roumanian invading Transylvania, is not known. Iluss ITcot at Constiinw. It is reported a Russian fleet has arrived at Constanze, the principal Roumanian Black seaport and the I'.ulgars are said to fear a combined lain! and sea attack on Varna. Rustchuk. Bulgaria, on the Danube, a report to Paris says, has been occupied by the Roumanians. In Volhynia the Russiars have repulsed a German attack northeast of Kovel with severe losses.

DRY" CANDIDATE LEADS CONGRESSIONAL RACE

Mi Kankln Will lYobaUy llcrrhc Republican Nomination for Montana Krproscntatite.

HKLKNA. Mont., Sept. 1. Miss .leannette Rankin of Missouri, a suffrage worker, who ran for the republican nomination for congressman at large in Montana, appears to have led the state ticket on scat

tering returns received sin e Tues-J

day's primary from "0 of the 40 ountles. Miss Rankin was the only candidate who came out on a "dry" platform and the tremendous vote criven hr may forecast, it is said, the result of the liquor referendum next November. The progressive wiriir of the re-

i publk-an party has won a victory in I the naming of former Rep. Charles i N. Prav of Great Falls, fo United

States senator and Frank J. Edwards of Helena for governor.

I. U. STAR RELEASED

Our Great boys' Store Opens the Fall School Season with greater and better stocks of clothes than ever

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"JE'RE ready to meet ail your requirements in school clothes. Needs for boys from 2 to 1 8 years. There is no scarcity here of dependable merchandise. We have prepared wonderfully for you. You will find the very best and plenty of it here asusual. The season's leading fabrics are Scotches with stripes, blue sercc, jrreen and bmwn cheviots, striped basket weaves, homespuns, worsteds, diagonals and tweeds.

"Sampeck" suits for boys. The highest type of juvenile styles; new fashions with vests and pinch-back coats. Mere exclusively, $8.50, $10, $12.50, $15, $18.50.

At $5, pinch-back suits and entirely new Norfolks; one or two pairs of knickers; the best of substantial, satisf vini;" service for school, E flf"!

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Combination Suits; the two-pants idea thai has taken such strong hold on practical mothers; belt-back and pinch-back coats. $5, $6.50, $7.50, $8.50, $10. Other Suits at $3.50, $4, $5, $6.50, $7.50, $8.50, $10, $12.50, $15. Boys' School Hats aricl Caps ready New Waists, Hose, Sweaters.

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FELT t SOUTH BEND3 QREATCST HAflGAtN GIVERS

values to $1.98

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219-221 SO. ?IICErKsAItf ST.

JET ORNAMENTS Values to 98c

pedal Sale of Millinery Saturday

To induce Early Buyers to Shop Here Saturday we are offering Millinery Here at prices that will positively save you from 1-3 to 1-2 the prices other stores charge.

imps1 Lmidbd's St

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All the latest styles from New York. All best

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Hrhi a spy in IlritMi I Kaution Camp. BLOOM INGTON. Ind.. Vpt. 1. Sherwood Wor.-ey, former Indiana university football star, was recently released from a British detention imp, where he was held on suspicion of being a German py. acrordinsr to word received by friends

here Thursday. Since his graduation j

Worsey has -een working on an ocean freighter. On his lut trip to Kncland he was arrested, an 1 his release did not take place until the American consul had been appealed to and investigated his American i. itizenühip.

LO-TUS LINIM i: NT for Rheumatism. Buck-Ache, and AM Aches and I'uins. 10-, i' le. Sc Z0c at CoonIcv'i. Advt.

"Falsad" softens water. Lsk grocers. Advt.

Clean?.

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styles. Special for Saturday at

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fö$3.SO and $S.OO

TAILORED HATS Values to $4.50

MISSES' HATS Values to $2.25

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VELVET TRIMMED HATS Values to $6.00

Ve Show the Largest Assortment of New Felt Hats in S. B. FELT HATS TWO-TONED FELT HATS

Values to $1.98 All good colors and shapes. Special for Saturday at

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Values to $3.50 All the rage now. Choice for Saturday

Velvet Shapes Valuer to Sil. 19 89c

Silk Velvet Shapes Values to $:MiO $1.98

Salt's Velvet Shapes Value to s I .no $2.98

Lyon's Velvet Shapes alu ;o m...V $3.98

Lyon's Silk Velvet Shapes ahi-N to S7..".l $5.00

TAKE ELEVATOR AND SAVE $ $ S $

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