Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-08-20
Nations Executive Believes Eight-Hou Day Is Just
 Demand.
RAILROADS FIGHT
 FOR RATE RAISE
Withholding Final Answer, Executives of Reads Urge Arbitration. Intending to Bring Pressure on Congress-.
 men 10 Oppose Wilson's Plan.

Washington, Aug. 19.-President Wilson appealed to the railroad off i cials today to abandon their insistence on arbitration of the dispute threat ing nationwide strike, and to accept hls plan of settlement, already agreed to by the employees. In his opinion, he announced, the railroads are con- tending for principle which it seem- lngly is impossible to apply to the present situation. In one of the most dramatic scenes known to the white house in recent years, the president declared to the heads of 5000, ,OOO, 900 worth of property, assembled at his summons:
 If strike comes the public
 will know where the responsibility
 rests. It will not be upon me-
 A few minutes later he issued a statement, in which he says the public has the right to expect "acceptance of his plan.
 Refusing the acceptance for the present, but not giving final answer, Hale Holden, president of the Burl- lngton road and spokesman for the 33 railroad officials, urged the presi- dent to uphold the principle of arbi- tration, and declared his plan would place in peril all that has been ac- complished in the peaceful adjustment arbitration.'
 Summons More Presidents.
 At the close of the conference President Wilson summoned to Wash ington additional railroad presidents of the West, and the executives al- ready here told him they would confer among themselves and return next week, probably Monday.
 The situation tonight was described by railroad president Gas not hope less, but grave" It will be at stand still until Monday, at least
 Discussion of counter propositions and compromises was current, and serious consideration was given to the possibility of government operation of the roads in the event of strike. As result of today's conference, it was said on good authority that many of the railroad presidents looked upon the possibility of strike as more remote than at any time since they came to Washington. Over the weekend it was anticipated that the railroad officials would get into com with the controlling or fi- nancial interests, and it was still con- sidered possible that some of the pow erful directors of the roads would be called to Washington.
 Strike Would Last Less Than Week.
 Talk of arrangements for strike continued, and for different reasons both sides thought if it came it will ast less than a week.
 While President Wilson still was addressing the railroad executives, his statement to the country was given 'ut at the white house.. In the state nent he urged the adoption of the ,ight-hour day because he believes the right, suggested the ere ltion by congress of small body of nen to investigate result, and urged he abandonment of the demand for -a-half overtime pay by the nen, and the contingent" proposal y the railroads.
 MT. Holden insisted on arbitration n his reply to the president, because, le said, "it is essentially the com non right of every citizen of what yer condition in life to be heard,' nd because experience "has put the fight to claim arbitration as a method # settling such controversies beyond question:" The demand for the eight lour day is in reality, he declared, nly an indirect plea for "an enor- nous increase in wages" and said hat Gin this instance, for those de- handing a change to refuse to submit heir demands to arbitration is in 
 w. G. Lee. head of the Brotherhood f Railway Trainmen, gave out brief tatement tonight on behalf of the nen, pointing out that in accepting President Wilson's plan, the employees surrendered a very large portion of heir demands. He added that the would remain here, but would take no further action until eleased by MT. Wilson.
 Railroads to Use Congressmen.
 The railroad officials found two oints in President Wilson's public