The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-24
This Following Final Confer
ence at White House.
WILSON HOWEVER OPTIMISTIC
Secret Conferences weigh
Counter Propositions.
Roads Realize Nothing to Do
But Accept S-HOur Plan.

Washington, Aug. 24.-After con-
tinued conferences today between
President Wilson and the select COM
fnittee of railroad executives, the stu
alton surrounding the threatened
strike was described as having narrow
ed down to the following:
The railroad presidents, at least the
select committee of eight, are willing
10 accept the eight-hour day insisted
upon by President Wilson and the
trainmen.
In return they ask that they be as
sured as fully as possible that all
proper support be given and proper
means be used to assure them
freight rate increase from the inter-
state commerce commission.
They ask also that congress create
q permanent board or commission sim
liar to the Canadian commission to
handle future labor difficulties. A
commission of this character would be
empowered to investigate when labor
troubles threaten and no strike could
he called or strike vote taken pending
its investigation, a full report of which
would be made public at its conclu-
sion.
At the end Of the investigation arbi-
tration would be suggested but if not
accepted, opportunity would be given
balloting would be secret.
Executives Not So Hopeful.
Washington, Aug. 24.-"Since mid
night the situation has taken a change
for the worse" declared a member of
the railway presidents subcommittee
before the subcommittee left Tor the
White House at their own request
this afternoon to confer with Presi-
dent Wilson
@The situation is very serious" he
added.
The subcommittee, r. S. Lovett of
the Union Pacific, Daniel Willard of
the Baltimore & Ohio and Hate Hol-
den of the Burlington, expected to re-
port the resul. of their visit to meet
ing of the whole number of railway
presidents at o'clock. They left a
meeting of the latter which had been
in session since II O'Clock. to make
the trip to the White House.
Everything now depends on this
visit to the White House, said one OF
the three He would not discuss what
turn the negotiations had taken TO
make the situation worse. The eXecu-
tive in question is one who has nereto-
fore talked optimistically concerning
the prospects for adjustment
Confers With Unknown Leaders.
Todays meeting az the White House
was first announced by Judge Cham
hers of the Federal Board of Media
lion and Cancellation. 1t followed a
visit by him to the hall where the
brotherhooGs' $40 representatives were
in session. There ne conferred with
the four brotherhood presidents and
left them. apparently in increased
GOOD spirits. Indications grew today
that the railway presidents We're try
ing to find a way out OF the SITUATION
on the basis of cOncedinS the elght
hour day in some form but not in the
frlm demanded by the brOtherhoodS,
supported by President Wilson. The
meeting at the White House lasted
only ten minutes. Leaving che White
House, Holden, spokesman of the
group. said:
The situation is not any more nope
full than it has BEEN
rs it hopeful at all?" he was asked.
Keep Plugging Away.
Il cannot make any statement as to
that" he replied. "All 1 know is that
as long as there is something to work
with 1 am going to keep plugging
away"
Contrary to the pessimism reflect
ed by some of the railroad presidents
was the very hopeful attitude of the
president In administration circles
belief is strong that things look better
than they have at any time-certainly
there is no danger of any immediate
breaking off of negotiations"
While Holden said the conference
with the president was requested by
himself en- suggestion of the sub-com-
mittee of eight, it was stated at the
White House that the president had
asked for the conference
Expects Presidents Decision Today.
Washington, Aug 24.-Judge w. l.
Chambers, of the federal board OF
mediation and conciliation, conferred
with President Wilson for half an
hour today and then left to confer
with representatives of the brother
hoods. Chambers would not discuss in
any way the purpose of either visit
but 1t is known the resident asked for
the conference after seeing representa-
tiVes OF the railway presidents last
night The general belief is that the
elght-hour proposition, offered by the
rellroads was the subject discussed
LCnntinnnd .... I,.s-.. l.