Arizona republican., 1916-08-23
OUTPLAN
 OF PRESIDENT I
 HARD TO ACCEPT
[Republican A. p. Leased wIreI


 WASHINGTON. Aug. 22.-Eight presidents of important railway sys tems who have been designated to draft the railroads reply to President Wilson's appeal that they accept his plan for averting a nation wide strike. were in almost continuous session to- day and tonight without solving their problem.
 Late tonight three of the committee men. Hale Holden, of the Burlington; F. s. Lovett, of the Union Pacific. and Daniel Willard. of the Baltimore & Ohio. discussed the situation with President Wilson. They were at the White House for more than an hour and on leaving declined 10 talk about their visit further than to say they had asked for the conference to discuss the general situation and expected to see the president again.
 Although some of the sixty or more presidents are showing a disposition to| prolong the negotiations In the hope that the sentiment of business men Of the country will be shown to be op- posed 10 the idea of an eight hour day. there was a general feeling tonight that definite answer to President Wilson's demand cannot be much longer postponed. The president k understood to have indicated that he desired his proposals to be fully de- bated by the executives. but their con- ferences among themselves have failed so far to develop any concrete plan likely to win approval.
 So far as the presidents would dis cuss the situation tonight, they are still insisteut upon an arbitration of the eight hour day and all other issues with the employees.
 As the conferences continued there was less talk of action which would lead to a strike, but some Of the ex- ecutives are expected to fight to the last ditch any plan which would force an eight-hour day upon the roads without some form of arbitration
 II was understood the White House conference tonight did not develop any actual plan, but that the three execu- tives wished to get President Wilson's views on various phases of the matter SO that they could be outlined to the rest of the committee tomorrow. The executives are said 10 realize that Mir Wilson cannot recede from the position he has publicly taken and some Of them are convinced now that about all
 
 some concessions.
 Among the more than 500 represent atives of railroad brotherhoods in Washington there was evident today a feeling of restlessness and there were many inquiries of leaders as tO how long they must remain. IL is not ex- pected that this feeling will lead 10 any open revolt unless the conference be. tween President Wilson and the eX- ecutiVes are prolonged. Some Of tho leaders told inquirers today that they would not have to stay in Washington more than 4s hours.
 The railroad executives who arf counting upon winning President Wn son to their position in the negotiations , say that the case after all is 10 be de- cided by public opinion and that this | will be found to support arbitration ant | condemn the eight-hour day. | They made public tonight sevega ] telegrams from commercial organiza tions throughout the country upholdinl arbitration for the settlement of labol
 disputes and opposing an eight -houl
 day such as the employees desire.
 The cabinet discussed the oI
 at today's meeting and in the opinoi of some of the members the danger 0
 a strike has been greatly lessened It is understood that the chief obiec of the visit to the White House wa to ask the president to state specific
 ally how he expected the rairoaGg (
 make up the millions of dollars whicl the homogeneous say it win cost then to put into effect the eight hour ba s day they are asked to grant Wha
 the president said in reply none of tn committee would reveal Heretofore according to the railroad men, Mir. vii son has dealt with this phase of tn 1 subject only in the most general terms