Evening star., 1916-08-16
LEADERS THINK HE WILL
PICK A MIDDLE GROUND
Believed Settlement Along Lines Of
Executives Suggestions
Will Follow.
PROPOSAL ALREADY MADE
Managers Confer Behind Locked
Doors-Employes' Officials to
Consult General Committee
Which Is Coming Here.

President Wilson has con-
vinced both parties to the con-
troversv threatening to tie up the
railroad systems Fl the United
States by the striking of the en-
ployes that he holds the whip
hand, and that he is ready to
strike hard at either party re-
sponsible for a great industrial
debacle.
When the President decides, in
his own mind what is a just
middle ground in the present dis
agreement, and is ready to tell the
hundred million people of the
United States that he holds either
the railroad managers or the labor
leaders-whichever it may be
responsible for whatever may re-
suit from unwillingness to come
to these terms, there will be set
tlement-this was the view OF
leaders in the controversy today
unless any of us should con-
slider ourselves greater than the
entire United States" said one of
the leaders.
General Committee Coming.
The big committees which have been
representing each party to the contro-
versy were sitting tight today, during
the luIl in the White House conference,
while awaiting the coming of the gem
eral committee of $40 workmen from
New York These $40 brotherhood
leaders and general chairmen are COM
ing to Washington tomorrow morn
ing on the invitation of the President
and are to be in conference with him
in the east room tomorrow afternoon
May Reveal Remarks.
After speaking tomorrow to the $40
representatives of the employees. Presi
marke, both those made by him to the
employees and to the managers, in an
effort to bring public opinion to bear
upon the two sides. Before giving up
hope of forcing a settlement, it is un-
derstood the President will indicate
clearly to the country the nature of
the negotiations.
This possibility is regarded as very
significant of the Presidents intention
to make clear the responsibilities for
plunglng the country into nation
wide industrial disturbance and the
manner in which he has brought 1t to
both sides. If the President makes
public his remarks it will be the first
disclosure of what has taken place at
the inside conferences
1t was said today that it is very like
ly the managers of railroads may also
feel that they should bring the presi-
dents of the 225 railroad systems to
Washington for settlement of the
controversy
Both of the committees have before
them today a definite proposition made
by the President suggestion of
terms on which their differences can be
mediated. Behind locked doors in the
New Willard Hotel the managers com
mittee has been in consultation for
hours. The Big Four" leaders of the
brotherhood committee are going to
consult with the general committee re-
garding their reply to the Presidents
proposal
Nav Be Swerved From Stand.
While it is stated by brotherhood
leaders that they long ago turned down
a proposition to accept an eight-hour
dav with pro rata for overtime. and ar
bitrate other differences and contingent
conditions, and that they insist on
overtime, it is believed
TODAY that they will be swerved from
this stand.
tentative proposal for trying out
the eight hour day for six months was
among the suggestions under consider.
alton A brotherhood leader said that
such a system would have decided ad-
yantages over the one on which they
are now working.
If the eight-hour day with pro rata
overtime is granted by the roads, il
means an increase of pay for the en-
oloyes amounting to 20 to 20 per cent.
since on overtime they will receive the
same day wage for eight hours that
they are now receiving for ten; for in
stance, a man now working ten hours
'or 81 would then be paid at tho rate of
30 cents an hour, where now he ia get
ing but 40 cents.
Would Shorten Overtime.
The men claim that their demands
ror time and a-half overtime are to in.
1uce the railroads to shorten the over
lime work, as they now have no in
,ucement to do if they can get all the
,vertime they want at the same rate.
Z ia suggested that some agreement
IN the length of overtime service may
" reached as a way out of this dim
.ulty.
The President had the forenoon to-
Law flled with engagements with
enators and representatives who have
,een pressing to see him, but whom
le has put on because of consideration
II the railroad situation. No upgage-