The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-24
NEARING END R.R. DISPUTE, IS VIEW NOW
Both Sides Are Optimistic As President Continues His Negotiations With Employers and Workers.
Signs of Unrest Among Men Have Disappeared And
 Final Decision in Trouble is Looked For Soon.

E WdSnlngtOn, Aug. S4-He- newed optimism on the pros poets for averting the threaten ed railroad strike prevailed to- day among the representatives of the employesI and at the White House.
 Commissioner Chambers, of the federal mediation board, after conferring with President Wilson, carried a message to the brotherhood leaders. apparent yesterday, disappeared today and there were renewed indications that the railroads would agree on some proposal to include the eight hour day in a manner satisfactory to the employees committee and then bring about investigation of all the collateral issues.
 After conferences with representa- tives of the employees and employers Commissioner Chambers of the fed eral mediation board, discussed the strike situation with President Wilson and made arrangements for a group of the railroad presidents to see MT. Wilson immediately. There were re- ports that settlement of the con- troversy was in sight. L
 Hale Holden. of Burlington; Daniel Willard. of the Baltimore & Ohio, and s. Lovett, of the Union Pacific, the subcommittee which has been dealing with the President for the last two days, arrived at the White House short ly before 1 o'clock and refused to make any statement before seeing the President.
 After the conference 1t was said the thing''
 The President sent for the execu- tives = acquaint them with the pro- gress being made by him in dealing with the problems suggested at pre- vious conferences.
 Railway heads who today con- tinued their efforts to meet President Wilson's plan for averting strike probably had for their guidance in formation on the administrators s attitude toward legislation or other governmental, action looking toward accompanying them for a possible concession of the eight-hour day basis. A definite statement of this was evidently the object sought.
 Courses which might be taken in Congress effecting directly the present railway situation it was pointed out as these:
 Direct the interstate commerce commission by resolution to investi- gate the entire subject of the relations between railroads and their employs.
 Pass the pending bill to increase the commissions membership from seven to nine in anticipation of additional duties to be imposed.
 Exact a measure competing arbi- tration of future disputes similar to that pending.
 Establish the eight-hour day prin- ciple by legislation.
 Pass measures clearing the way for government ownership of railroads.
 The first two proposals were receiv- ing most serious consideration, it was said. Statements given out by the railway presidents showed no relaxa-
 
 hour principle and there was no direct indication of when they might give a final answer to President Wilson. Many telegrams from industrial and commercial interests protesting against granting the eight hour day were dis played by the railway heads.
 Administration officials expected a final answer from Jthe railroed execu- lives today or tomorrow. President Wilson made no engagements in antici- patton of receiving the. executives While no definite information is forth coming, administration officials ex- pressed optimism over the outlook.
 The executives had a meeting to hear the sub-committee's report of the conference last night with the Presi- dent. The men also had a meeting.
 Walter D. Hines, chairman of the executive committeee of the Sante Fe, issued a statement today attacking President Wilson's plan and charac- terized it as preposterous. He declar- ed the President apparently had made up his own mind without hearing ''as to the concessions he will force the employers to give to buy off the labor from it's illegal course"