Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-25
TRAINMEN STAND PAT
ON COMPROMISE PLAN

| Continued from Page One
men question discussed by farmers
stock raisers, dairynen and merchants
Please get as many of these classes
as possible in your town and vicinity
to send kilograms rush to President
Wilson at Washington. urgently re-
questing him to settle the controversy
by arbitration. kilograms should show
business Of the sender These tele-
grams are to be paid for from station
funds and statement sent me or
voucher your credit. want you to
send copies these kilograms to me by
wire as soon as transmitted to the
President using our own wires for this.
Might be we'll to have some of the
most prominent sgners send message
to their Congressman and Senators in
Washington. in addition to those sent
to Pres dent Wilson This is very inn
portant and must be given preference
over normal business today.
DEMANDS OF UNION
Lee told the President that this proved
conclusively. in his opinion, that the mes
sages reaching Washington indorsing the
position of the railroad heads was "manu-
featured" He also said that all of the
committeeman were receiving demands
from their locals either to stand pat on the
Presidents original proposition or to break
Off negotiations If the roads will not yield,
and go through with the original strike
program.
The President made no new suggestions
to the brotherhood chiefs. but sounded them
out on proposal that had been made to
him by certain of the railway executives,
which would provide for acceptance of the
eight-hour day. but would make the basis
for payment the present compensation for
nine hours instead of ten at present.
This would have the effect of splitting
the difference" and would save the rail-
roads half of the amount it was figured
that the Presidents plan would cost.
It is understood the President simply
suggested this proposition to the four
brotherhoods' heads, but did not press 1t
when he found that they considered 1t
entirely out of the question.
The President told the men OF the various
conferences he has held with the railroad
chiefs and counseled the utmost patience.
He made it plain that all of the efforts
TO bring about a peaceful settlement would
be ruined If the hot heads" were per-
mitted to assume control of the situation
When the brotherhood leaders left the
White House they told the President they
would report to the full committee all that
had occurred and would keep in close touch
with the White House.
In their secret conference in their hotel
the railway presidents and managers
threshed out the situation. Radical diff
ferences of opinion exist among the rail-
way executives anu meeting at
which, for the first time, all outsiders were
barred, was an effort to see whether united
action cannot be forced and the present
aimless milling ended.
OPPOSE EIGHT-HoUR DAY.
The committee of eight has not at any
time agreed to accept such an eight-hour
day. When it has been discussed in general
conference, sentiment against il has been
crushing Only general ideas have been
advanced.
Individual presidents have voiced opin-
ions. but thus far these have not been
crystallized into a concrete plan, and no
opinion yet voiced could command approval
Of majority of the executives.
A suggestion of some eight-hour day plan,
together with assurances of remedial legis-
lation was turned down when il was ad-
mitted that there were only promises" of
such legislative help, with nothing tangible
possible at this Congress
AS the subcommittee of eight resumed
its deliberations the two questions upper
most in the minds of the executives were:
Will the President stop with his pres
ent plan of settlement and If not, how
far will he compromise?
Will the employees actually strike IL
the railroads turn down the Presidents
proposition while offering at the same
time to agree to the theory of the
eight-hour day and TO put some shorter
day program into effect?
There appears to be no change in the
determination of a majority of the greater
systems and most OF the smaller ones to |
oppose any settlement based on the eight |
hour day with ten hours pay. as proposed
by the President. An eght-hour day with |
the present eight hours pay and some stipu- |
lation for overtime would be accepted by |
them instanter
Contending that acceptance of the Presl- |
dents offer would mean merely passing the |
enormous burden of cost to the public" |
President c. r. Gray of the Western Mary |
land, today added his protest to the accumu- |
lating list, and said
We would be both cowardly and un-
true in both our public and private rela-
.ionships II We did this merely as the easiest
way out. We, too, answer to the public.
Ind we are not yet satisfied that the pub
ic, or even a respectable majority. |
our surrender"
President Willard, OF the Baltimore and
ohio, is working hard.
You're working too hard, Dan" Presi-
lent Underwood, OF the Erie. told him last
hight. There's no great rush about this.
ve got TO leave for a meeting of my board
# directors Saturday night. but I'll come
pack again Monday"