The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-08-24

This time but that an hour law might
be passed after long and bitter llght.
The Chamber of Commerce OF the
United States tonight made pubic
letter TO President Wilson signed by
r Goodwin Rhett, its President. sup
porting the railroads in their contcn,
ton for arbitration Of disputed Ques'
tons including the hour. day.
Destroy Foundation
THE proposal that eight hours
should be the basic day without any
penalty for overtime, says me lctlcr'
would of course destroy the entire
foundation of the plea set forth by the
EMPLOYEES and make the whole propo'
siIion one OF increased pay alone. IN
asmuch as there would be no penalty
for working an employe up 10 sixteen
hours out Of the 2i.
IF the basic S hour day is, as
claimed by the railroads. merely a
means of changing the rate of pay per
hour without limitations OF hours OF
labor, then obviously the basic hour
dav' has no relation to the hour day
in industry founded on the theory OF
S hours Of work, S hours OF sleep ana
s hours OF leisure and recreation.
J. Our position is that the facts ought
to be investigated, and if the demands
d JUST lutS OuSAI ~ bS S'koA'SSN 't'-
mediately upon the aScertaInment OF
facts on their merits, and not because
either party is SO powerful that 1t can
dictate it's terms 10 the public. We
feel there is no hope whatever or a
permanent settlement Of this question
short of the method proposed (arbitra-
tion), and we again appeal to you TO
use your power and influence TO that
end at this time"
Executives of several roads gave
out statements tonight explaining the
position the presidents have taken in
the fight with the men.
Jacob NJ. Dickinson, former Secreta-
~ Of War. and at present receiver FOR
the Rock Island, said the issue plainly
was that the railroad employees We're
attempting to enforce a demand for
higher pay by Threatening the gen
eral welfare Of all the other people"
Speaking for myself alone" said a
statement by f. P. Ripley, president
of the Santa Fee. Il do not hesitate 10
say that if the Brotherhoods would in.
dictate they are willing TO work eight
hours for days pay, this controversy
could be settled in twenty minutes.
What the Brotherhood leaders have
said to the public is not in tune with
the demands they made Of the mana
gers committee. They tried Ia give
the public to understand that they
we're cndeavoring TO establish an eight
hour work day. or the managers com
mittee they demanded pay for eight
hours for work done in less than that
time-seven, six, five and AS short a
period as three hours. with time and
a half for service performed after
eight hours"
I ;ef ~ TeJerrop,o
The executives made public tonight
long list Of kilograms and letters
from individuals and commercial or
CARNATIONS, from many parts OF the
country. indorsing their stand for ar
bitration and taking aystand against
the eight-hour day. Although the
Brotherhood leaders are reticent about
the wave OF unrest among their mem-
bers over being held in Washington.
one Of them declared tonight that he
doubted If it would be possible 10
keep the men here more than IS hours
longer.
It is apparent that every effort is
being made by the leaders to keep
down the spirit of insurrecrion. II
they have their way no votes will he
taken on proposals looking 10 calling
off negotiations through the president
or to provide for the departure Of the
committee Of $40 from Washington.
Over night discussions Of The stu.
alton had put many Of the men in a
fever heat and before their meeting
this morning they made known their
intention to protest on the floor
against further delay. Hearing Of this
A. B. Garrctson. head ri The Conduc.
tors brotherhood went 10 The hall and
counSeIed temperate action.
When he had gone from various
parts Of the hall came loudly voiced
Recommendations OF the railroad mana
gers for theid delay. Speakers in
sisted that the railroads had adopted
subterfuges for many months in order
to hold OF a settlement of disputes
Their tactics in inducing the brother