The Department of Labor, through the Federal
Conciliation Board, tried in vain to bring the opponents
together. Even President Wilson's efforts to bring about an
agreement proved futile. The roads agreed to arbitrate all the
points, allowing the President to name the arbitrators; but the
Brotherhoods, probably realizing their temporary strategic
advantage, refused point-blank to arbitrate. When the President
tried to persuade the roads to yield the eight-hour day, they
replied that it was a proper subject for arbitration.
Instead of standing firmly on the principle of arbitration, the
President chose to go before Congress, on the afternoon of the
29th of August, and ask, first, for a reorganization of the
Interstate Commerce Commission; second, for legal recognition of
the eight-hour day for interstate carriers; third, for power to
appoint a commission to observe the operation of the eight-hour
day for a stated time; fourth, for reopening the question of an
increase in freight rates to meet the enlarged cost of operation;
fifth, for a law declaring railway strikes and lockouts unlawful
until a public investigation could be made; sixth, for
authorization to operate the roads in case of military necessity.
The strike was planned to fall on the expectant populace,
scurrying home from their vacations, on the 4th of September. On
the 1st of September an eight-hour bill, providing also for the
appointment of a board of observation, was rushed through the
House; on the following day it was hastened through the staid
Senate; and on the third it received the President's signature.
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