Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-17
WILSON HAS new ]
PLAN THAT Will
Be CONSIDERED.
President to Go Before Com
mittees Today With Prop
osition Looking to
Settlement.
FOR AN EIGHT HOUR DAY
Z, -.
Regular Pay for overtin:N for
Railroad Men and Investi.
cation of Other Issues.
REGARDS THIS AS FAIR
FOR AN EIGHT HOUR DAY
REGARDS THIS AS FAIR

Wilson, late today, completed a
definite plan for settlement OF the
threatened railroad strike, which he
will submit tomorrow to the general
committee of the>b40 representatives
of the employees and to the managers
committee
The plan involves the Acceptance Of
a basic eight-hour day. with regular
pay for overtime and an investigation
by commission Of other issues.
Judge William l.. Chambers of the
federal board Of mediation and con-
citation laid before the presiden. late
today figures on tine costs of an eight
hour workday, and then went TO take
up in tentative form with the mana
gers the plan which will be placed
before the employees committee to-
morrow.
The general committee ofemployes
will! see the president at 3 o'clock
tomorrow afternoon and the maua-
gers committee will see him earlier
in the day in case there are any ques-
tons concerning the plan put before
them by-Judge Chambers.
The president regards the plan he
has prepared, after conference with
both sides; as a fair one which can
be accepted. He has fortified himself
with figures regarding the cost of an
eight-hour day to the railroads in or
der to enter fully into discussion
with both sides. e,
Should either side reject the pro-
posal, it is understood the president
will turn to public opinion to force
settlement, The details of the prcsi-
dents plan probably will be made
public should break appear newt
able.
Mt was stated that in case the presi.
dents efforts fail, action OF some kind
may be taken in congress.
Conference Held Today.
/ The president decided to postpone
further conferences with the represen-
tatives of the railroads and employees
on the threatened railroad strike un-
til tomorrow, when he will receive
the general committee of $40 work.
men in the East room of the White
House.
In the meantime the committee Of
managers here and the general COM
mittee Of the employees will meet to
discuss tentative plans now before
them.
The PRESIDENT through Judge Viii
liam L. Chambers Of the federal
board of mediation and Cancellation.
will keep in close touch with the rep
resentatises Of both sides. No en-
gagement has been made forY the
managers committee, but it is proba-
Bile that the president will see them
tomorrow.
Eight-Hour Day Provided.
The plan on which the president is
working is to put into effect the
eight-hour day and have federal
commission investigate collateral IS
sues. Details of the plan have not
been worked out, but It was said to
be possible today that if the rail-
roads conceded an eight-hour day the
employees will be urged to give up
their demand for time and half
overtime.
The proposed commission of inves-
tigation would not have power to en-
force any decision, but would inyes-
tigate all of the questions involved
in the controversy and make recon-
mendaticns.
The halt in the negotiations has
been caused by the fact that the
brotherhood leaders who have been
meeting with the president have no
plenary power and have to refer all
important questions back to their gem
eral committee in New York.
General Committee to Washington.
President Wilson decided time
would be saved and better results
achieved if the $40 members Of theN
general committee were brought to
Washington and met him. Therefore,
it was decided to hold general meet
ing at the White House Thursday. NV
The committee of managers re-
NAMED in session almost continuous
ly today discussing the conference
with the president and the tentative
suggestions outlined. 1t was stated
that the negotiations arc now in such
form that definite decisions may be
made by both sides before the end of
the week.
Permanent Tribunal Suggested.
Among the railroad managers today
there was discussion of proposal
for some sort OF permanent COM
mission to consider all railway wage
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