The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-18

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-while the
$40 representatives of the railroad EN-.
ployes assembled in secret session to.
DAY to vote on President Wilson's
plan for averting national strike.
the railroad presidents and manarers;
held a final conference before going
70 the White House later in day.
There were Indications that the am.
ployes would vote to accept presiden,
Wilson's proposal OF basic eirht.
nour day and settlement OF other
issues by a special commission, 1ut
nope for settlement was endan.
gered by evidence that the railroad
presidents, backing up the managers
committee were not inclined TO grant
an eight.hour day unless 1t be decid.
ed by arbitration, and in any event
they might ask President Wilson for
a little time to think over his proposi.
ton.
The time for his conference with
the railroad presidents had been set
for 1880 this morning but they found
1t impossible to be prepared with a
statement at that hour and the time
was changed to two this afternoon.
The railroad presidents want ar.
bttration under the Newlands act with
two arbitrators for the roads and Two
for the men and two for the public.
The disposition today was said to be
to insist upon action OF that charac.
ter and not yield to President Wilson's
plan for an eight.hour day unless It
comes from an arbitration board. Some
OF the presidents are said to feel that
the public will support their offer to
arbitrate everything In dispute. Some
others. however, were OF the opinion
that If President Wilson chose to ex.
ercise his power and refuse to press
the men for arbitration 1t will be diff.
ficult for the railroad executive to
contine opposition TO his plan.
After the meeting OF the Brother.
hoods had been in session for an hour
one OF the leaders came out and said
sentiment for the President proposal
was by no means unanimous but no
organized opposition to the plan had
appeared. Most Of them thought the
Presidents proposal good In the main
but number found objections to
some OF 1t.
There are about 500 men In there
clarmoring for chance to speak, said
the leader who came out, and II they
are heard as many OF them doubtless
will be, there is no telling when we
will get to vote.
The Presidents plan was outlined
In the following statement which was
made by Secretary Tumuity yester.
day afternoon at the conclusion OF the
conference with the trainmen:
"The Presidents suggestion asks
both sides to accept the eight-hoar
day on the present bases Of pay.
"It also asks that the collateral
questions shall be submitted to com.
mission to be authorized by Congress,
Until the union leaders vote on
the suggestion and the railway execu.
tives pass upon 1t, the White House
cannot discuss the situation"
The President did most OF the talk.
ing at the meeting yesterday, explain
ing his plan in detail and urging that
1t be accepted for the good Of the coun.
try. Afterward Garretson and W. S.
Stone OF the engineers spoke brief.
iy.
At the conclusion Of the discussion
all Of the men fell In line and shook
hands with the President before leay-
ing.
It was understood that under the
Presidents plan the eight-hour day
would go into effect pending the out.
come OF the investigation The com.
mission would be small one, prob.