New Britain herald., 1916-08-18
RAILROAD MEN AGREEABLE
 TO PRESIDENTS PROPOSAL
Heads of Systems Tell Will son They Support Mana gers in Refusing to Grant Eight Hour Day But Ex- cutive Declines to Accept No" for Answer.

Washington, Aug. 18-While the GAO representatives of the railway em- ployes assembled in secret session this morning to vote on acceptance of Preident Wilson's plan for averting nationwide strike, the railroad pres idents and their managers held a H. nal conference before going to the White House. The time for the Wilson conference with the railroad prsSl- dents had been set for 11:30 O'CLOCK this morning but the railroad men found it impossible to be prepared with their statement at that hour ana the time was changed to o'clock thls afternoon.
 There were indications that the em- ployes would vote to accept President Wilson's proposal of a basic elghC hour day and settlement Of slde lS- sues bv a special commission, but the hope for settlement was endan- gered by evidences that the railroad presidents, backing up their mana gers committee, were not inclined to grant an eight hour day unless 1t De decided by arbitration, and in any event might ask President Wilson for a little time in which to think over his proposition.
 President Wilson abandoned today's cabinet meeting so he could devote all his time to the crucial railroad slt- uation.
 Presidents Want Arbitration.
 The railroad presidents want arbi- tration under the Newlands act with two arbitrators for roads, two for the men and two for the public. The dis l position of many of them was said to- ! day to be to insist upon action of that l character and not yield to President 1 Wilson's plan for an eight hour day 1 unless it comes from an arbitration ! board. Some of the presidents are ; said to feel that the public will sup ! port their offer to arbitrate every ] thing in dispute. Others, however, were of the opinion that if President 1 Wilson chooses to exercise his power and refuses to press the men for ar bitration it will be difficult for the rail- road presidents to continue oppOsi- ton to his plan.
 After the employees meeting had been in session for an hour one of the leaders came out and said sentiment for the presidents proposal was by no means unanim Ous, but no organized opposition to the plan had appeared
 Most of them thought the proposi- tion good in the main but some found objection to it.
 800 Try to Speak.
 |"There are about 500 men in there clamoring for a chance to speak," said the leader who came out, "and there is no telling when we will get a vote"
 During the morning President VII son prepared a statement reviewing the negotiations and explaining why he chose the plan of settlement based on the eight hour day.
 w. l.. Chambers of the federal me diatOrs went to the mems hall at the request of the brotherhood officials to explain some of the features of the situation.
 He went into executive session with the heads of the four brotherhoods on the subject of overtime.
 Tn the mems meeting, the leading objection to President Wilson's plan was that if it were accepted without extra pay for overtime the men de- manded the railroads would contend that the sole purpose of the men was to obtain more money and not to get the eight hour day.
 Shortly after noon a vote on the presidents proposal was begun in the employees meeting.
 Shortly after o'clock this morning the men assembled in a secret meet ing to vote on the plan President Will son submitted to them yesterday | There were outward indications that the presidents proposal would be ac- cepted.
 While the railroad employees com | mittee of GAO was casting secret bal 1 lots the committee of railroad presi- 1 dents was in conference with Presi- | dent Wilson in the blue room at the | White House.
 To the presidents Nr. Wilson ap- ! pealed to reverse the stand of the | mana gers committee and accept the l proposal to cOncede the eight hour . day, regular time for overtime and | have a commission appointed by con greSS to investigate the collateral 1 issues.
 It was plain that the railroad Dresi- dents were prepared to refuse the proposition or ask for time to con- sder it. There were some indications. however, that President Wilson might move them and failing in that, call | in the financial powers which control the roads
 When the White House conference began Brotherhood leaders said the men were still balloting.
 Hale Holden, president of the Bur-