The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-08-28
PRESIDENT WILSON 1
PRESENTS PROPOSALS
IN LAST ATTEMPT
TO AVERT STRIKE
Meeting Being Held by Rail Execu.
tves and Brotherhood Men -.
This Afternoon.
BREAK BETWEEN HEADS s.
AND MEN SEEMS CERTAIN
May Ask for Ten Days Stay to Pre-
pare Legislation for Action BY
Congress. -Is r.
BELIEVED CERTAIN THAT &
CONGRESS WILL ACT
(Bv United PreSS)

Washington, Aug U.s. President
Wilson has presented his, new pro-
posal to the railways in an attempt
to avert the railway strike, which
appears today to be almost inevitable.
President Wilson's proposal in
sists upon the acceptance of the
eight-hour day, but suggests COM
mission to Investigate overtime A
year is to be given this commission.
The presidents last weapon is con-
gress. He is ready to appeal to them
for legislation for the following
things:
FIRST-Aid in the prevention of
a strike.
SECOND-To provide for an ade-
quate method for the immediate set
tlement of a strike.
THIRD-To provide for keeping
trains moving in case of a strike.
Congress is Ready.
Congressional leaders today in
formed President Wilson that he
could put through this legislation.
The meeting which was scheduled for
ten o'clock this morning and which
is supposed to be the final meeting
was put off to 2:3O O'Clock this after
noon.
President Wilson and Sepator Kern
conferred Sunday regardin nla, The pos.
sible joint session to. be summoned
Tuesday. It is expected that con-
gress will take a hand in the strike
today.
The Sunday developments in the
situation we're as follows:
The break between the railways
and brotherhOOds appeared certain.
Quorum of house is summoned for
Tuesday to hear Wilson's plans for
legislation to prevent strike.
Men Go Home.
Members of the brotherhoods COM
mittees leave for their homes after
delegating powers to effect settle
ment of the strike.
They instructed their delegates
that under no conditions accept ar
bitration. -
The strike has been called for ten
days unless the railways recede from
arbitration.
Representatives of roads and
brotherhoods conferred with the
president.
President Wilson, it is believed,
will ask for a temporary postpone
ment of action to permit legislation.
The administration officials have
agreed to legislation to prevent, a
strike.
Prepare for Strike.
Chicago, Aug. 2S.-The executives
CT western railroads who are not in
Washington are making quiet pre-
parations to meet the situation if
the four brotherhoods declare. a
strike Practically all of the roads
have canvassed their employees and
have lists of all men not belonging to
the brotherhoods who would be capa-
hle of operating an engine. These
lists include former engineers, con-
ductOrs and fremen who now hold
official positions with the company;
men who have formerly been in the
service, but who have entered other
lines Of work, and railroad employees
who are not affiliated with the broth
ernOOds.
In addition to this there has been
for several days mysterious move
ment into Chicago of men known 70
have figured in previous str1kebreaK-
ing operations who are believed 70
have been assembled by the railroads
although this is neither admitted Dy
the men or by the railroad officials
Operating heads of railways seek:
ing strikebreakers, admitted TO-DAY
that they had placed guards on the
Minnesota Mesaba range to secure
strikebreakers. A majority OF the
roads do not expect a strike. They
believe that negotiations will drag
along for six or seven weeks more. i3