The sun., 1916-08-27

hour \ were granted. Later he dis
cussed the same matters with Secretary
Lane. head Of the Interior Department.
The PRECEDENT suggested that the pend
Ing bill providing for the enlargement OF
q the Interstate Commerce commission be
passed and inquired as to the possibility
OF the Senate confirming the appoint
ment Of two commissioners avowedly In
favor Of an increase In freight rates.
Another plan discussed, was the amend
: ment Of the commerce Law by authoris-
Ing h Interstate Commerce Commission
to take into consideration labor condi-
J lions Is a basis for fixing maximum
rates. Under the present law the com
mission IL forcclosed from considering
these matters.
Democratic Senators Confer.
After pVesident Wilson'S conference
with Senators Newiands and Kern, Sena-
cor Newlands discussed the situation
with Senators Robinson, Salisbury.
; Lewis n other Democratic members
and Senate Cummins, u Republican
member OF the committee.
Senators were reticent, but the whole
situation Is said to have been laid
before the Democratic Senators just
~ II stands for them to think over and
IL poeslbo to nnd some means OF salts
Tying the demands Of the roads.
Senator. Newlands said he had not
called a meeting Of the Commerce Com
mittee n did not know whether Il
would meet. 1t was regarded as prob
able. however. that .. meeting might
> be held Monday.
Informal conferences Of Democratic
members probably will be held during
the next few Gays to deliberate on the
RnyNna -.
Congressional action is anticipated and
no one In authority would state whether
the railroad crisis would operate to
prevent adjournment Of Congress next
week.
Speaking Of the situation CATEGORICAL
~. Senator Newlands said Congress had
power to direct the Interstate Commerce
Commission TO Increase rates or to
lower them.
A suggestion had been made. II was
reported. that Congress might pass the
pending bill to Increase the membership
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
from seven to nine and attach to II an
amendment expressing the sense Of Con-
sress that the railroads should have an
increase In freight rates X they accept
~ eight hour %workday.
Such an expression by Congress prac-
ideally would amount to directing the
commission to grant IN Increase.
Whether such action would satisfy the
road Senator Newlands said he had no
tdsA.
"As = matter Of fact the law now
specifically states.' said Senator New
lands. "that in fixing railroad rates
the Interstate Commerce Commission
must take into consideration all operat-
ipg expenses. and an increase In wages
attendant on n shortening Of the rail-
road work day would amount to an
Increase In operating expense
Threatens torn Of Debate.
From time to time during ;he present
negotiations the proposition has been
considered OF passing n Law creating q
permanent arbitration commission. This
appears to have been given secondary
consideration in the Presidents confer
ance Ut the Capitol.
At most II 10 expected that this next
turn Of affairs can have only the effect
Of ~postponinR for a day or two the crisis
which confronts the President.
The possibility Of legislation Of this
character. which is likely to provoke n
storm o. debate. being enacted ~ ~.
present session Of Congress II very re-
mote. The President was informed that
there was grave doubt ever whether two
new commissioners. such as he had de-
scribed. could be confirmed without a
night.
The President was Of the opinion that
Congress ought to take some action TO
back him up In his efforts. There Is rom
siderable doubt whether the bro;herhoods
would support "A plan In give the Inter,
state Commerce Commission power AZ
fecting wages.
QhAr- l. ,ar, ~'. lz.,,s - 49,.
the suggested legislation would be sum-
Gent to induce the railroad executives to
abandon the position they have taken
for arbitration. Yet the decision whether
or not there shall be u strike seems to
hang tonight by this very slender
thread.
While the President was turning to
Congress In n desperate EFFORT to ind a
solution OF the problem the railroad ex-
ecutiVes completed the flnal draft OF
their counter proposal. which was signed
by all the executives and gers who
have participated in the White House
negotiations. Having reached their con.
clusion and decided upon the course they
are to follow they were prepared, Il was
SAID. to present their reply whenever the
president Is ready to see t-em.
~1t's Now In 10 the presidcnt.'
II was evident that the railroad execu.
tivos to-day considered their task com
pfeted n that they reYa vdcd their
counter proposal as something In the ma.
tute Of an ultimatum,,
1T Is now up to- the President" said
n Of the executI, es. 1--WE are through
There is also every Indication that
despite n CONCESSIONS that may be
made from the White - House or the
brothcrhoods the deciEion of the railroad
executives II ~irrevocatle. Every pos.
siblc solution that has occurred to them
Las been threshed out, one Of them said
to-day. The stand that has been taken
In their reply IL the only one upon which
all are agreed.
Al the same time the brotherhood
delegates held themselves In rsadine4s
Tor the approaching crisis. MANY o.
them left Washington to-day aftn" wait
lag In ain for final word from the
White House.
United Front az both sides.
The attitude OF tie executives Tonight
was In marked contrast to that OF a few
days ago. Apparently differences OF
opinion have been swept away and they
are racing the situation with "A united
'front.' and ready for what may come.
brotherhood leaders said Tonight that
me departure OF a large number OF the
oHo representatives for their homes dur
ms the DAY should rot be interpreted AS
an indication hat the men were break.
ing m the negotiations or had aban.
doned hope OF "A settlement. Many moro
would leave tomorrow. the leaders said
nut the heads and vice-presidents OF ali
the BrOtherhoods Nuuld rar.i, -