Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-29
By Associated Press


washington, d. c.. Aug. 29.-Direct
nesotiations between the railroad ex-
ecutlves and the employees through
president Wilson were practically
closed to-day when the executives re-
FUSED to accede to a proposal made to
them yesterday by Mr.. Wilson and
presented to him a statement of their
position containing another argument
for arbitration.
The statement presented to. Presi-
dent Wilson by the committee of eight
denies that the judgment of society
IaVors an eight-hour day and declared
that arbitration is the only proper
way OF settling industrial disputes.
The suggestion of President Wilson
Tor a proposal including the principle
OF lhe eight-hour day, but postponing
It's effectiveness for a year pending in
Nestlsation, was rejected by the rail-
road executives at the conference this
morning.
Issue Statement
The action of the railroad presi-
dents. taken in connection with the
Ssrdke SrdEis order of the employees; LEFT
PRESIDENT Wilson no alternative but to
go to Congress in a final effort to
avert the strike by legislation.
rms statement to the public was
issued by the committee of railway
presidents:
We are unable. after the most
earnest consideration, to agree with
the proposal of the President of the
united States which is that we accept
! without arbitration the substitution OF
an eiSht-hour day for the present ten
hour day in all of the existing prac-
uceS and agreements. This is the main
point In controversy and we cannot
sun render it without an opportunity to
be heard in fair arbitration.
Society Not Vet Recorded
I'VE do not assent to the statement
that the eight-hour day now undoubt-
tedly has the sanction of the judgment
of society in its favor We believe
that society has not yet recorded its
judgment upon this subject.
We are not in this controversy
however, dealing with the conditions
relating to the eight-hour day in the
industrial world. The difference be-
tween the eight-hour day in business
and manufacturing interests and II
the railroad train service day has beer
fully explained. The railroad day is {
basis for computing pay and overtime
the length of daily service being con
trol'ed by variable conditions.
The demands involved in this con
troV ersy have not been presented, iT
our judgment, for the purpose of fix
ing a definite daily period of labor mol
a reduction in the existing hours o.
| labor or change in methods of op
Grafton, but for the real purpose o
accomplishing an increase in wages o.
! approximately s10O,00O,OOO per an
mum, or 35 per cent. for the men il
railroad freight train and yard serv
ice represented by the labor organ
izations in this matter.
Realize Serious Consequences
after careful examination of tht
| facts and patient and continuous con
sultation with the conference commit
tee of managers and among ourselves
we have reached a clear understanding
of the magnitude of the questions anC
of the serious consequences to the rail
roads and to the public involved in ;
decision of them.
"As trustees for the public served b!
our lines and for the great mass of thu
| less powerful employees (not less thar
| 80 per cent. of the whole number) in
terested in the railroad wage fund-a
trustees also for the millions of people
that have invested their savings anC
capital in the bonds and stocks o
these properties and who through tht