Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-18
Decide to Back Their
Managers in Stand For
Arbitration.
BROTHERHOOD MEN
NOT UNANIMOUS,
Aeatsd Debate ovsr President Wilson's
Suggestions For Avsrtins Strike
Takes Place In confsrsnes Of EN-.
pIoyss-Wilson's Suggestion, For
Compromise Come Largely From
Brotherhood Leaders.

railroad presidents today told
President Wilson that they stood
BY the decision Of their managers
committee that an eight hour day
was impractical.
President Wilson refused to take
'sno" 40 the answer to his proposal
that they accept an eight -hour day,
and asked them to return to the
White House tomorrow, with their
managers, for another. conference.
II became known that the ON.
ployss had voted to accept the pres
ident's proposition and some Of the
leaders had gone to the White
House to tell him 90.
Washington, Aug. 1s.-With the $40
representatives Of the railway en-
ployes assembled In secret session
this morning to vote on acceptance Of
President Wilson's plan for averting
q nationwide strike, the railroad presi-
dents and their managers held final
conference before going to the White
House.
There were indications that the en-
ployes- would vote to accept President
Wilson's suggestion, but the hope Of
settlement was endangered by exiden-
ces that the railroad presidents.
backing up their managers committee
were not inclined to grant an eight
hour day unless 1t be decided by arbi-
tration, and In any, event might ask
President Wilson for a little time to
think over the proposition.
etand for Arbitration.
The railroad presidents want arbi-
tration Under the Newlands act with
stwo arbitrators for the roads, two for
ths men and two for the public. Tho
disposition Of many Of them was said
today to be to insist upon action Of
that character and not yield to Presi-
dent Wilson's plan for an eight hour
day unless it comes from an arbitra-
tion board.
Some of the presidents are said to
feel that the public will support their
offer to arbitrate verything in the
dispute. Some others, however, feel
that IL the president exercises his
power and refuses to press the men to
arbitrate it will be difficult for the
railroad officials to disapprove his
plan.
Were Not Unanimous.
After the conference Of the men had
been under way an hour one delegate
came out and said that the men were
not unanimous for the presidents
plan.
There are about 500 men in there
clamoring for chance to speak," he
said, and If they are heard, as many
will be, there is no telling when we
will get vote
During the morning President VIII
son prepared a statement reviewing
the negotiations, and explaining why
he chose the plan Of settlement based
on the eight hour day. The statement
probably will be given out later
Anticipating Sentiment.
w. L. Chambers, of the federal
mediators. went to the, mems hall at
the request Of the brotherhood Off
Gals, to explain some of the features
of the suggestions Of settlement.
In the mems meeting the chief
opposition to the suggestion that
if accepted without overtime, the
railroad managers would declare the
sole purpose of the men was to get
extra pay and not to get the eight
hour day.
It was expected more than an hour
would be required to take the vote of
the men and count It.
Proposals by President.
The presidents compromise pro-
posal which is acceptable to most Of
the brotherhood leaders. is:
The railroads shall grant their en-
ployes the eight day at the Same
pay as is now given for ten-hour day.
Employees working more than eigh:
hours shall be paid for the overtime
at the eight-hour rate.
The railroads shall drop their coun-
ter demands involving readjustment
Of all existing working agreements.
Congress shall create and the presi-
dent appoint special commission to
Y determine whether the railroads can
afford to pay time and half compen-
sation for overtime or only pro rata, or
some amount between those two ex-
tremes.
Substitute Eight Hour Day.
n the practical working out of the
agreement, If accepted by the parties
to the controversy, 1t is proposed mere
" to substitute eight hours for ten
hours2in all agreements between the
railroads and the brotherhoods con-
cerning pay and hours of labor.
At a conference in the east room Of
the White House yesterday afternoon
with the $40 brotherhood chairmen Of
the 225 railroad systems Mr.. Wilson
submitted this proposed basis for an,
agreement between the carriers and the
men threatening to plunge the country
into general strike such as it never
has experienced.
Msn Have Gone Limit.
The president went thru the form
Df proposing the compromise and ask
Ing the trainmen to accept it as the
most feasible practical method Of OBJ
tanning Z part Of the concessions de-