New Britain herald., 1916-08-19
PRESIDENT STAUNCHl
 IN SUPPORTING MEl
Issues Statement in WhiI He Says His Program, E dorsed by Employees,
 Practical and Fair a Public Has Right to H pect Acceptance.

Washington, Aug. 19.-The cl over the threatened railway std continues and there are many indI tions that it may not be passed several days.
 President Wilson conferred aa today with the railroad president hear their reply to his proposal they accept the eight hour day &rbitrate the other issues.
 The railroad heads were summc ai the White House for a confert at 11:30 o'clock.
 The employees committee of having voted to accept President sons plan and thereby put the tI up to the railroads" had and meeting today to talk things ovd
 Out of the maneuvering of sides for a position which will joy the support Of public opi come many evidences that each working to organize public senti1 in it's favor and make it manifea a positive way.
 It was understood that the
 roads are turning to other large ployers of labor throughout the q try to express their support of preservation of the principle of bitration as a settlement of indud disputes, while President Wilson,
 the employees are drawing suTj
 from large manufacturing and | | interests vitaIly interested in H ! ing the railroads open for bus| and from those who want to sed movement for the eight hour cal a long step forward. The evidences point to movesI 1 each side to "back fire" the otherl
 attitude of the railroad president
 ask for time to consider the IE
 dents plan was said to be pard this program. Wilson Calls PInn Fair.
 While the railroad presidents in conference with President WE the president gave out a stateE outlining his plan of settIemenH saying:
 Tt seems to mo q thoroughly K iical and entirely fair program eN think the public has the right tk pcct it's acceptance"
 President Wilson's stGtcmcnt lows:
 "I have rccommendcd the co sion Of the eight hour day--tllH the substitution of an eight houl. for the present ten hour day the existing practices and agreen l made their recommendation k cause I believe tho concession N The eight hour day now undouh has the sanction of the judgmenM society in it's favor and should adopted as q basis for wages # where the actual work to be cannot be completed within # hours.
 "Concerning the adjustments y should be made, in justice to the M roads and their stockholders, ir payments and privileges to their men are now entitled eff 8 are necessary the # a wide divergence of opinion.
 "The railroads, which have all adopted tho eight hour day do seem to be at any serious disad tage in respect of their cost of oE tion as compared with the rail that have retained the ten hour and calculations as to the cost oM change must, if made now, be without regard to any possible ad istrative economies or readiustn
 "Only experience can make it @ tain what arrangements woulW E. fair and equitable, either on behM the men or on behalf of the railr M That experience would be a de guide to the interstate commerce 8 mission, for example, in determ @ as q consequence ofM change, ii would be necessary M right to authorize an increase of 8 for the handling and carriag M freight Cor passenger service is 3 @
 "I, therefore, proposed that tn # nand for overtime made by the N& md the contingent proposals of M railroad authorities, be postponed til facts shall have taken the pla W and forecast with re e -o the effects of change to the M hour day; that, in the mean while experience was developing facts, I should seek and, if need obtain authority from congress ts point a small body of impartial m
 N