The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-19
Heads of Railroads Are Said
to Be Opposed to Will
sons Plan
MEN ACCEPTED
THE PROPOSITION
Another Conference Held
To-day with the Rail
road Heads

Washington, D. C., Aug lo.-President
Wilson's plan for settlement OF the
threatened nationwide railroad strike
was accepted yesterday by the represen'
tatives OF the employees and taken under
consideration by the officials of the rail
roads, with many indications that they
would reject it to-day.
With the situation thus apparently at
deadlock, the only hope in the situation
lay in reports that the railroad officials
might suggest a counter proposal form
| ing the basis Of settlement or that one
side or the other might recede from its
present position.
Thirty-one presidents and ranking Of
fcals of the great railroads received
! from the president yesterday afternoon
ibis plan for the adoption of an eight hour
day. regular pro rata pay for overtime
and creation of a federal commission to
Investigation collateral issues. They told
him they would like to consider the ques-
ton and would report back with the
committee of managers which has been
conducting negotiations.
At the same time the general commit
tee Of $40 representatives of the en-
ployes were approving the presidents
plan by large majority and soon after
the railroad officials left the White House
the four heads of the railroad brother
hoods delivered to the president a letter,
notifying him of the vote. The employees
committee will remain here at the presi-
dents call
While the railroad officials would make
no formal statement, they revealed very
clearly their opposition to Mr. Wilson's
plan and indicated that they would press
further their offer to arbitrate all the
points at issue.
In spite of these developments, il was
reported the officials might suggest a
counter proposal based on the acceptance
of the eight hour day and arbitration of
all other points, instead Of the investiga
tion by federal commission proposed
under the presidents plan. 1t was stated
positively. however that the officials had
reached no definite decision on their fu
ture course.
In case the president finds no hope of |
settlement during his conference with the
railroad officials to-day, he probably will |
summon TO Washington some of the |
powerful financiers OF the country serv-
ing as directors of the railroads. Admin |
istration officials said he had by no
means given up hope of effecting a settle
ment and was determined that it shall be
reached, ii possible, before the represen-
tatives of both sides now here leave
In their informal statements the rail
road officials insisted on arbitration on
.hc ground that if they gave in this time
t would mean the abandonment of the
principles of arbitration, and because
hey feared that If they granted the
sight hour day with its consequent added
expenses without resort to arbitration it
would prejudice any appeal they might
make later to the interstate commerce
for higher freight rates
On the surface, the threatened strike
ppeared nearer to-day than at any time
ince the negotiations at the White House
,egan, but administration officials CON
inued to believe some concessions would ,
9 made, and that eventually there would !
'e an agreement,
The group of railroad presidents and
nicials who came here in answer to an :
invitation from the president conferred ,
With him less than an hour. After Mr.. {
Wilson had explained his plan, Hale
Iolden. president of the Chicago, Burling- !
on & Quincy, acting as spokesman, in y
ormed the president that the officials !
resent could speak only for their indi- =
idual roads and that the conference com
littee Of managers was the only body ;,
18th power to accept or reject proposals !.
1t was indicated plainly to Mr.. Wilson ,
nat the officials were inclined to stand :,
rhind the previous attitude of the man ;,
gers committee in refusing to accept
le eight hour day, and that the propos
was believed 70 be impracticable The !,
resident was told, however. that the :
Ian would be given further considera =
on and report made to him to-day. In :
matter of such far-reaching Importance :,
le officials said they believed there -
iould be no hasty decision +,
Mr. Wilson explained to the railroad "
lieials that he had drawn up the plan
cause he thought it fair. and because =
! believed a way must be found for i
.erting a strike. He urged them TO /,
a spirit of concession and TO !,
sist him in settling the controversy. =,
lst night railroad officials held another
NC conference at their hotel
Employees representatives held two
eetings during the day, one Of several -
us for speechmaking and hslloting on y
E presidents plan, and the other, I" m
ort ono. for announcement Of the result =, Y,
the vote. -
Some Of the presidents expressed the
nviction last night that the nerotia- os
ms with the White House would not be "'
ncluded in a few days and that each 9
int involved would be thoroughly con ua
Tered hy the executive heads Of the
ids before any definite position Is tax
While the presidents have kept IN ~
lch with the situation as II developed
re-. IL was said last night their atten- ~
N had been largely perfunctcry and 10
sv did not have first hand information il'
the status of the negotiations until bl'
y reached Washington and talked ~
th the managers. ~
Conference to Begin at Neon ~
ID. c. Aug 9-Auaucc- We
nts were nlade for a conference st ba
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