The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-26

presidents who have been constantly
at work upon it's various phases for a
week. There was. some discussion but
only one vote was taken and by lit
the SO presidents and the managers
approved the draft. Some slight addi-
tions to the phraseology are to be
made and the final draft presented at
another meeting tomorrow morning.
From that meeting the report is ex-
pected to be taken to President Will
son. 1t was said tonight this will be
the final report of the executives.
ut puts the issue squarely up to the
men, was the way one official
phrased it.
CRISIS EXPECTED
The crisis in the situation is ex-
pected by noon tomorrow when the
President has an engagement to see
the brotherhood leaders.
Some Of the executives said that
while the proposal would not give the
men more than, 20 per cent increase in
wages provided for in effect in Presi-
dent Wilson's plan, it probably would
give an increase of over 10 per cent.
The proposal in it's tentative form COW
cred three typewriter pages. After
the vote several of the executives made
suggestions which the committee of
eight probably will include in the final
draft.
Throughout the discussion the exec
utives took the position that the ques-
ton of the eight hour day was en-
Of of
principles. They said tonight they
| never had voted formally on Presi-
dent Wilson's plan as whole, but that
all of their discussion had shown that
it could not be accepted in it's en-
tirety. The plan now agreed on Will
be the first presented by the execu-
tives since the negotiations began.
ENCOURAGING SIGN
Leaders of the brotherhoods could not
be reached tonight for discussion of the
railroads proposals, but among the men
the sentiment was plainly against the
idea of arbitration. The fact, however,
that the railroads have made a proposal
was taken as an encouraging sign that
this might form the basis for further
negotiations. One of them said as a con-
sequence he expected the discussion to
continue until the middle of next week or
possibly longer.
! Although the railroad presidents would
not attempt to forecast how their counter
proposition would be received by the men,
some of them We're inclined to believe
the brotherhoods would decide that mucn
| had been conceded and that it would
be a losing fight to hold out for their
| original demands.
| Heads of the four railroad brotherhoods
formed President Wilson that under no
| circumstances could they hold their COM
| mittee of $40 here after tomorrow night
| The men, they said. were demanding that
| they obtain some definite answer from
| the railroad heads on President Wilson'S
| plan, already accepted by them or that
| they be permitted to go home and pre-
| pare for strike Everything was de-
! clared to be in readiness for walkout
| whenever the committee of $40 gives the
word.
! The President is understood to have
| given the men no definite promise as to
what he would do. He made an ap-
pointment with them for noon tomorrow,
however, and shortly after they left the
| White House sent for three of the rail
road executives to advise them of what
had happened.
The railroad presidents and manager.
held two conferences during the day ane
continued their sessions until late to
4 = . I| . "a
! tContinued on Page Twelvel