The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-30
If Present Plans Prevail Great
est Strike In History Begins
On Labor Day
ARBITRATION BY
CONFUSION OPPOSED
Both Sides to Controversy Said
to Be Against Wilson's Plan
to Make Repetition of Pre-
sent Situation impossible

Washington, Aug. 2s.--Prcsi-
dent Wilson laid the railway
strike situation before Congress
nt 2:30 O'Clock this afternoon
in an address to both houses as
sembled in joint session. The
President told Congress of his
efforts to bring the railroad
managers and the men into some
sort of agreement, ard. saying
he was powerlcss 10 do more, he
asked Congress to enact certain
sp, cific legislation to deal with
the situation now and in the
failure.
Pointing to the distress and
hardshipS which nation wide
strike would bring upon the coun-
try the President asked Congress
TO empower him to draft into the
service Of the United States the
very managers and men who have
been unable to adjust their diff
fercnces so that the government
may operate the railroads In case
of military necessity.
PRESIDENTS PROPOSALS.
He proposed that Congress,
first, enlarge the membership Of
inc interstate AoHDINTtt AOuls
mission to equip IL to deal with
larger situations;
second. that an etght-hour day
nc established for all trainmen I'm
interstate commerce:
Third, that II commission in-
vcstigate the effect of the eight
hour day, but without recon-
mcndation. that the public may
a i,,fx To-
of the merits of the question:;
Fourth. that the Interstate
Commerce Commission consider
the Increased cost of the eight
hour day in making rates, and
Fifth, amend the mediation
law TO prevent strikes or lock-
outs while industrial disputes
are being Investigated.
The sixth proposal was that
the President be empowered to
operate the railways in case OF
military necessity.
How these recommendation ar
o be carried out President Wilso
eft entirely in the hands of Con
.ress
Labor Leaders Issue strike Order.
Just before the President went :
abdi NoS NcAiS COS II ptGiliiC hHpW
hat the strike leaders had positivei
allied the strike for Labor Day ur,
ess favorable settlement wa
cached before and that the negotia
ions between the managers and me
lad been broken off. The committe
II railway president made Il publ
tatement of their position. declinin
o accept President Wilson's plan an
II vii their raa Tha ST. la
presented all the details of the tw
weeks of negotiation to Congress, re
counting how he had laid before bot
'ides picture OF the distress int
which a strike would plunge the ma
ion. and how he had assured tn
ailway managers that the publ
would see that justice was don
hem.
They have thought 1t best" sal
he, referring to the railway man
ayers, that they should be forced I
Held. II they must yield, not by coun
'el. but by the suffering OF the coun
ry."
While my conferences with Their
we're in progress" the President con
inued. land when to all outward ap
,earance those conferences had com
% standstill. the representatives o
he brotherhoods suddenly acted an
get the strike for the 18th OF Septem
per"
AGAIN
WITH HOUSE LEADER
Tonight he returned to Capitol Hi
% confer with the House leaders o.
he procedure that will be the mos
expeditions.
The meeting took place In Speake
~lark's room. Present, In addition I
he Speaker. were: Chairman Adam
son, Of the Interstate Commerce Com
nittee; Majority Leader Kitchin an
Minority Leader Mann.
1t is understood to have been agree
% attach the remedial measures a
'iders to the Newlands bill calling 70
an increase in the membership OF tn
interstate Commerce Commit ssion an
low before the Senate. Whether o
lot the Senate will go into tho merit
II the proposed legislation befcr
'ending II back for the consideration
II the House has not been determin
ID
The Presidents efforts to push tn
egisiation through with the least pos
'ible delay have not removed tn
'trike menace.
The leaders OF the railway brother
hoods voted today. after having hear,
he address before Congress. not I
permit II to change their determine
ion in the slightest to- carry out tn
order for a strike on September 4
inless the railway executives NEE
heir demands.
10 Continue Negotaaklnal
The executives held = meeting -
appointed n alyiaesy eomNn(loe n!