The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-08-16
EIGHT-HOUR DAY
BY Railroad Officials =
Groundwork For Settlement Of
Railroad STRIKE situation Is
Laid in Washington.


Washington, August 15-President
Wilson's effort to bring the railroad
managers and the Brotherhood lead
ers together in some form of settle
ment of the differences which threat
en- nationwide railway strike has,
after two days of the conference, prog
ressed only to the point where
ground work for further negotiation
has been laid. Hope of arbitration
of all issues waned today, but the sit
uation was frightened by the posi-
lbility Of settlement being reached
by the railroads conceding the prin-
ciple of the eight hour day, and both
sides settling collateral issues by
some sort of negotiations as yet un-
determined.
| Mr.. Garretson declined to discuss
the probable method of effecting an
adjustment. Much of the discussion
at the conference today revolved
about the principle of the eight hour
day. The managers asserted that
putting the eight-hour day into effect
would cost them 800 100000 year.
but the representatives of the en-
ployes reduced this estimate to $780,
OOO,O 900. The employees suggested that
the eight-hour day already is in ef-
feet on some roads, and that officials
on those roads have stated they would
not change back to the ten hour day.
After communicating with Presi-
dent Wilson tonight, the employees
subcommittee sent word to New
York for the $40 members of the gen.
eral committee to come to Washing
ton to help facilitate the negotiations.
They are expected here Thursday,
and probably will meet the President
Friday. The managers committee
will confer with him tomorrow.
Administration officials refused to
predict tonight what the outcome
would be and the President was UNI
derstood to be uncertain whether
strike could be avoided The White
House conference will be continued
tomorrow, but it was not believed that
crisis would be reached before
Thursday.
President Wants Whole Committee
| In the meantime the managers and
employees will communicate with the
interest they represent The de-
cision to send to New York for the
general committee of employees was
reached because the subcommittee
hereis without power to reach i'm
portant decisions without reference
to the men in New York. At first II
was suggested that the subcommittee
here go to New York, but the Presi'
dent thought it would be better to
have the general committee come
here. He wanted an opportunity to
explain to all the members any sug-
gestion which may be made tomorrow
or Thursday by the managers COM
mittee.
Thus for the President has not at
tempted to bring the two sides to-
gether on any concrete blanket pro-
posal He is sounding sentiment on
all phases of the situation in order
to have the case fully in hand before
making final effort to settle the
problem. Neither have the rePresen-
tatives Of either side finally turned
down any suggestion except arbitra-
ton and they have several under dis
cussion which will be taken up again
with the President.
Pessimism Among Officials
For a time today there was pro-
nounoed pessimism among administra-
ton officials because of the complete
failuhre of efforts to bring about an
agreement on any form of arbitration.
Suggestions of investigation by a
commission was then brought for
ward and its reception aroused new
hope that solution might be found.
President Wilson devoted most of
his day to conferences with the man
ayers and employees, seeing both
sides separately as on Monday and
to a meeting with Judge William l..
Chambers of the Federal Board of
J AIadiation and ConciHation