The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-25
Submit Proposal to Grant the
Eisht-Hour Day But Wish
President toAct Now
ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE
AMONG EXECUTIVES
President Promises Personal
and Official influence to See
That Proper Laws Are Put
through

Washington. Aug. "a President
Wilson. In response to his demand on
the railway executives for an eight
hour day to prevent strike. has been
asked for assurances that the favor
able legislation promised will be en-
acted before the November election.
Over this stumblingblock a tenta-
tive agreemnt between the Whits
House and the subcommittee reached
early in the day now hangs in the
balance,
The President Is said to have con-
veyed the impression that his favor
able influence would be continued In
the event of reelection. but this 10
the executives.
agreement the roads would COM
eedet
The nat eight-hour day. with
pro rata pay for overtime.
The agreement to be q signed
contract for one year between the
railroads and IT, four brother
hoods represented.
The eight-hour day to become
effective Immediately. dating pre-
from oCtOOSk
The Presidents Promises.
The President promised as an in-
demniry against undue losses from
the concession of the eight hour day;
/. To use his influence, personal and
official, TO obtain for the railroads an
increase of freight rates.
2. That the principle Of arbitration
would be maintained and conserved:
that the demand of the brotherhoods
for time and half for overtime and
the contingent demands OF the rail-
roads affecting special wage schedules
would be arbitrated. s#Ns
3. The enactment of a compulsory
Investigation law similar in general
outlines to the Canadian Industrial
disputes act. This legislation to be
obtained before January / 1917
4. The enlargement of the Interstate
Commerce Commission from seven TO
nine members an increase which
would he considered highly favorabls
to the railroads,
The tentative agreement over which
the fight is now conferred was worked
out though a series OF conferences.
proposals and counter proposals
President Wilson employed Judge W.
L. Chambers. of the Mediation Board.
to deal with the brotherhoods
Brotherhoods o. X. II.
AS soon as President Wilson was
informed OF the essential points In
the proposed agreement Judge Cham
bers obtained a statement that the
arrangement would be satisfactory TO
the brotherhood leaders The Presi-
Gent at once called the subcommittee
OF the railway heads--President Hol-
den, willard and Lovett-to the White
House.
Al the conclusion OF this conference
optimism was apparent on all sides.
and the President started for the golf
links At 3 o'clock the agreement was
placed before executives as a Who'll.
and there the fight started. The meet-
ing was in secret. but II is understood
the debate soon became so acrimo-
NOUS that an early adjournment was
made necessary. The beiligerent ele-
ment found support among a majority
of the executives who were not sats-
fed with mere prora.se that the
President would urge the enactment Of
the new legislation as soon as possi-
BILE. 1t is said also to have been
charged by the heads of the roads
in the small earning class--chiefiy tn.
Western lines-that the subcommittee.
had exceeded its authority They
maintained the right to continue the
fight for a preferential arrangement
earnings under an increase in freight
rates would Justify the added burden
in wages which the eight-hour day
means.
The managers committee, through
Its representatives insisted that the
executives had no right to enter into
an arrangement such as would weaken
their authority in future dealings with
the brotherhoods. Here the matter
voted and the folio ing perfunctory
statement issued:
AT the invitation of President VIII
son, Messrs. Hale Holden. Judge r. $.
Lovett and DANIEL Willard went to
the White House at noon and held
short conference with the President
"A conference of the railroad ex-
ecutives was held at 3 o'clock and 4
new phase of the situation of some
Importance was laid before the con-
ference by special committee
After a considerable discussion
without definite action an adjourn
ment was taken until IL o'clock to-
morrow morning. In the meantime
the special committee of the presi-
dents will continue its labors."
The new phase" referred to by
Chairman Holden was declared to-
night by one of the inner circle OF the
railroad executives to mean the fact
that we want President Wilson TO
make good his promises while he has
the power
This executive continued:
President Wilson makes rather
definite promises OF what he intends
to do In the future. Ii he intends
to do II at all. why not now and
demonstrate his good faith? He has
the power now, but he may not have
II at all after the next election. II
hi means what he says. he will -
Congress now for this legislAttoa A4
prtsrnirna ana Will - a II thakH q