Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-17

Washington, Aug. l6 l6-Presdcnt Wilson
to-day completed a definite plan for set
uement of the threatened nation- wide
railroad strike and will submit it to rep
resentatives of the managers and cm-
royes tomorrow. Although administra-
tion officials said negotiations would be
continued until a peaceful solution was
FOUND, the outcome of the Presidents me-
daton is expected to depend largely ON
the attitude of the two sides toward the
plan he has drawn up
The proposition framed by the President
following conferences with the managers
and employees since Monday morning pro
poses that the railways should ConCedc
the elght-hour work daY, with an agree
m"ht that it will be observed Later it
probably Will be proposed that federal
commission appointed by the President or
created by Congress investigate all prob
lens which have arisen during the present
discussion.
The chief obstacles in the way Of
acceptance Of the plan lies in the in
sistence of the railroad managers on
arpltratlon and their opposition to nn
"IEht-hour day, and in the demand Of
the employees for extra pay of time and
n half for overtime. Whether the two
sides VIII give in on these points con
stituted the chief danger in the situa-
tion Tonight
The general committee of the nm-
pIoNes. including $40 representatives
| of the trainmen and enginemcn on the
20 railroad systems of the country.
arrived here tonight in response to a
summons by their b-committee which
has been meeting with tho Pres sident.
| The general committee has plenarY
| powers to accept or reject any suEEcs-
tion. The men, although rcfraninE
from discussing the plan of the Presi-
dent, said they thought the outlook on
couraging for settlement.
At three o'clock tomorrow after
noon the President will meet the entire
general committee of Gao in the east
room of the White House and lay be-
fore them his plan. He will accompany
it with a statement appealing to their
! patriotism and urging a compromise in
| the interests of the people of the ma
| tiOn.
While no time has been set for a
conference between the managers com
mlttee and the President, it is thought
probable 1t will take place Tomorrow
morning. When Mr.. Wilson sees the
! managers he will make practically the
same statement he will deliver to the
employees, paying particular attention
| however. to the points he feels the
| managers should COnCedo.
The President completed his plar
/ during a conference to-day with Judg,
] William l.. Chambers of the federal
! board Of mediation and Cancellation
who took to the White House stats
/ tics compiled by experts showing the
probable cost to the railroads of the
granting of basic eight-hour day
Immediately afterward Judge Cham
bcrs talked briefly with the managers
committee. He did not confer with tn,
employees representatives.
The conference between the Presi-
dent and Judge Chambers was the only
! formal meeting of the day in connec
tion with the situation. There were
no White House conferences with th'
managers and employees pending th'
arrival of the brotherhoods' genera
committee from New York and the
drawing up of a definite plan by Mr.
! Wilson. The managers spent the day
in informal meetings and conference a
their hotel. The employees representa-
/ tiVos rested at their hotel
The President is depending largel,
upon public opinion to force a settle