The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-08-28

W2SH SHtNG On, aug. Zf- S"to-
tive plans for joint session OF the
senate and house to hear Presl-
dent Wilson ask for legislation to
prevent the threatened nationwide
railroad strike were discussed oy
the President with Senator Kern,
the Democratic leader, tonight
when it seemed virtually certain
that q break between the railroads
and their employees must follow
final conferences at the White
House tomorrow.
Possibilities OF legislation were
talked over by the President with
Senator Newlands, Chairman OF
Interstate Commerce Commission
and Secretary Lare during the day
and tonight the President maze
quiet trip to the senate, otfIce
building to nnd Senator Kern at
tending a meeting Of the finance
committee.
Since last night the belief that
NEGOTIATIONS between the ral'roao
executives and representatives OF
the men would end without an
agreement has been growing.
This feeling was strengthened TO-
day when the members OF the
Brotherhood committee Of $40,
tired of their long wait, departed
for home after aele9atins their
powers to effect a settlement or
call a strike to a committee OF
twenty-four, instructed under no
circumstances to agree to aroltra'
tion of tn. demand for an 8 hour
day at the present rate OF pay TOT
ten hours.
Whether the plans considered
by President Wilson and his ad-
visers at the capitol will be car
ried out depends upon tomorro"S
Developments. but It is unoers1ooo
that if all efforts fail TO bring the
employers and their men together
the President will 90 before con-
oress and ask that il deal win tne
Situation, even Is that neceSsltateS
Indefinitely proloneIn9 the present
session.
Unless the railroad heads re-
cede from their demand for aro1-
tration Of the eight nour day pro,
posai. ore brotherhood head salo
toniqnt a strike affecting ABOUT
100000 men will be calico WITHIN
the next ten days. =,
REPRESENTATIVES of both the raw:
WAYS and the brotherhood VIII
confer with the president tomor-
row. The executives Of the INES
viii present the plan to winch
they agreed finally yesterday: Its
OUTSTANDING feature is a demand
for arbitration Of wages under
When they have departed. the
brotherhood heads acting under
instructions received from the
committee of $40 today will go to
the White House and appraise
President Wilson that they can
not accept arbitration OF this tea
ture of their demands and mat m
general they stand on his propose
made week ago, to concede the
eioht hour principle and areItrate
the other issues.
What will follow, no one at
.tempts to forecast accurately.
There was a report tonisht,
however. that the president might
ask the men to postpone acton
for a period in order that ne
miaht seek legislation which
would force and provide settle
ment without lying up the coun-
try's transportation systems.
Secretary Lane and Senator
Newlands worked until late to-
night framing bills for presenta-
tion to congress.
The measure given most serious
consideration was one drawn
aIono the lines of the Canadian
act, which provides for inVest'ga-
ton of industrial disputes by a
commission for one year, and pre-
vents strikes or iockouts during
the period of investigation. II it
finally is decided to press such d
measure, an effort Will be made to
put it into effect at once.
Other Legislation.
Other legislation under consider
don including the following measure
An hour day law for railroad eI
eloyes.
a bill increasing the membership
he Interstate Commerce CommiSsic
rom seven to nine members with a
thority TO divide into groups.
A resolution stating it 10 be- Il
sense of congress that If the railroad
grant a basis eight hour day ths
should be entitled TO increased rev
nues compensatory with the decrease
operating expenses.
A bill, already pending, directir
the Interstate Commerce CommisSic
TO ascertain minimum. maximum ar
average wages paid with hours OF Sc
vice, to every class Of railroad eI
ploye, compare them with wages
other industries in which similar SIX
and risk are involved 10 determine II
relation OF railroad wages TO railros
revenues, and urge both sides to II
present dispute TO defer action pen
Ing the investigation
At today's conferences consider
tion was alSoLgiven TO the problem
keeping the railroads in operation
the event of strike and how far CO
gress should go In extending feder
authority over the railroads.
At today's conferences considerable
was also given to the problem Of kee
Ing the railroads in operation In Il
event Of strike and how far congre;