The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-19
But Railroad Executives De-
clare 1t Would Mean Surren-
der of Principle of Arbitration
PRESIDENT WARNS
OFFICIALS OF RESULTS
Strike Would Almost Certainly
Mean Taking Over and OPP
Grafton OF Railways by Gov
eminent

Washington, Aug. 1S-Tho
cilairmcn of the Big Four rail-
way brotherhoods, by vote Of
approximately to 1, today ac-
cepted President Wilson's plan to
avert the threatened railway
strike.
Thirty-one executives, repre-
scnting as many individual rail-
roads, heard his plan outlined by
the President at the White House
this afternoon.
The executives declared they
stood by the managers committees
and were opposed to settlement
by any means other than arbftra-
tion.
President Wilson. In a spirited
reply, warned the railroad exccu.
tives that they were risking gov.
eminent ownership Of all rail-
roads. He added that he personally
did not favor government owner
ship, but public opinion might de-
mand the reform.
The President, in vigorous
terms, advised the railroads to
accept his pian--the cight-hour
day and Investigation by commits
sion of collateral issues-if they
wished to avert government inter-
vention by force.
Reminds Them OF French Strike.
He reminded them OF the threat-
ened strike IN France two years ago.
when the French government called
the employees to. the colors and then
detailed them to operate the rail-
roads.
The Presidents mere specific sug-
gestion was that the railroads operate
under the eight hour-day plan for =
year, pending investigation by spe-
cial commission. to be created by Con-
gress-
The railway presidents are plainly
disgruntled over the Presidents atti-
tude. Several of them declared to-
night that he did not display adequate
knowledge OF the situation,
Holden Gives Roads Side.
Hale Holden, president of the Chi
cago. Burlington and Quincy Railroad,
acting as spokesman for the railroad
executives, told the President that the
whole principle of arbitration was at
stake in the controversy. He made
these main points:
THAT the principle of arbitration
must be conserved for the settlement
of Industrial disputes.
2-That the proposed e.ght-hour
day would not, II granted. really ef-
feet eight working hours for railroad
men, but would result only in In
creased wages for the members Of the
four brotherhoods
3-That President Wilson'S plan for
the settlement of the controversy was
impracticable.
Mr. Holden told the President that
the issues involved were broader than
a mere question of hours and wages.
He declared that the whole principl,
of arbitration was at stake.
The committee OF railway managers,
he pointed out, were clothed with
power of attorney and they and only
they represented with unlimited
authority the 225 railroad systems OF
the United States. The presidents.
vice. presidents and receivers. he ae.
clared, could only speak for their in-
dividual companies.
He said, however, that the excca-
tives had promptly responded to TIE
Presidents invitation to take counsel
with him. They would take his plan
under consideration with open minds,
Mr.. Holden said, and return the Presi-
dent an anewer tomorrow. The execu-
ttves and managers went into secret
session this morning and the meeting
lasted until the chiefs started for tho
White House shortly before o'clock.
Executives In Conference.
After their conference with Presi-
dent Wilson, which lasted forty-fve
minutes. the executives again went
into conference with the managers.
adtourning at o'clock until $3.50 to-
night.
The executives and managers nj
their morning conference deci6 |
upon the reply Mr.. Holden shoall
make to President Wilson in behtsii
of the railroads
The entire situation was reviewe :.
and II was determined that sael9-.
flee of the principle of arbitration !.
the railroads might cause incaiculaa,s
adjustment in the present instance.
| it was said. would mean that it never
would be resorted to again. for laho-.
| having succeeded in destroying ii.
would never consent to it's revival
Labor. ii was said. should a surren-
der be made. always hereafter wou.
insist upon the immediate granting cs
its demands counting upon an appeal
to the President to back 1t, without
recourse to- investigation and just
verdict based on its findings.
1t was insisted that the railroad enl-
ployes never have receded from any
right or privilege they had acquire |.
and that IL the eight-hour day with.
pro rata pay for overtime. should hs
granted pending an investigation !n.p
the fairness of such a wage increase.
the railroads could have no shooe Of
having the injustice undone by any
later inquiry.
Would he Yielding 60 Pr cent.
The railroad executives agreed with.
the managers that to grant an eight
hour day to the employees, a. Preet-s
dent Wilson has suggested A. Z basis.
for the peaceful adjustment Of the