Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-08-16

Two official statement issued from
the white house during the day mere
ly stated that the discussions still
were in progress and that no report
could be made on the results The
first statement issued by Secretary
Tumulty, after the president HAD met
the managers during the forenoon
follows:
'''Fhe president spent an hour
and a half this morning with the
representatives of the railroads
management. After the confer
ence he said it was impossible, as
YET, to report on the result, and
all that he could say was that Il
very candid and honest discus
sion was in progress about a
practical basis for settlement"
Late in the day, after the presi-
dents meeting with the representa-
tives of the employees, the president
authorized this statement:
"'rhere is no change. There is
an earnest effort being made to
work out settlement"
Wilson Gets Expressions from Both
Sides.
When it became clear that arbitra-
ton of the entire problem never
would be agreed to, but that the rail
roads might concede the principle of
the eight-hour day and the disposal
of other issues by some form OF ne
gotiations, the president directed his
energies to obtain expressions from
both sides on how negotiations could
be carried on.
Direct conference and inquiry by
an investigating commission was
suggested, and the president indicated
his willingness to appoint such a
commission himself. 1t was under
stood that the employees representa-
tives offered no suggestion on this
feature of the situation.
The railroads were reported to be
ready to concede the principle of the
eight hour day on condition that all
collateral issues be investigated by
the interstate commerce commission
or some other body.
Administration officials refuse to
predict tonight what the outcome
would be, and the president was UNI
derstood to be uncertain whether a
strike could be avoided. The white
house conferences will be continued
tomorrow, but it is not believed the
crisis will be reached before Thurs
day In the meantime, the represen-
tatives of the employees and the rail-
roads will communicate with the
parties they represent.
ho Aicin nf hn n
to send for The GAO men,
bers of the general committee to come
to Washington is because the sub
is without power to effect
a settlement without reference TO the
men in New York.
No Definite Refusal.
Thus far the president has not at
to bring the two sides to-
gether on a concrete blanket propos-
al. 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 prob
lem. Neither have the representa-
tives of either side finally turned
down any suggestion except arbitra-
ton, and they are understood to have
under discussion suggestions which
will be taken up with the president
later.
For a time today there was pro-
nounced pessimism among admins
tration officials because of the COM
plete failure of efforts to bring about
an agreement to any form of arbitra-
ton. Suggestion of investigation by
commission then was brought for
ward and it's reception aroused new
hope that a satisfactory solution
might be found.
President Wilson devoted most of
his time today to conferences with
the managers and the employees, see-
ing both sides separately, as on Mon
day, and to a meeting with Judge VIM.