The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-08-22
WILSON PLEADS
WITH R.R. HEADS
TO ACCEPT PLAN

Washington, August 21--As one
American citizen to another, President
Wilson today appealed to ZACH of the
executives of the country's principal
railroads on grounds of patriotism to
accept his plan for averting the threat
ened disaster of nationwide strike.
He emphasized the necessity for keep
ing the railroads in service as a part
Of the National defense, and to make
possible preparation for meeting con
ditions that will exist after the Euro.
pean war.
Sentiment Against Proposal
On leaving the White House, tho
| railroad presidents, augmented dur
i ing the day by arrivals from the West,
held conference at which sentiment
was said to be against agreeing to the
| President proposal in it's present
form Hope was expressed however,
that some satisfactory counter propo
sition might be advanced and it was
decided to turn over to committee
the task of drafting final reply to
the President. With more than 60 men
most of them with their own ideas
: about what ought to be done, the exc
/ cutives found it difficult to get "down
9 to brass tacks,' as one of them ex-
pressed it. Tomorrow morning, an
n other meeting will be held, and every
d effort will be made to reach deci-
p sion promptly.
@ The railroad heads still insist that
n President Wilson is asking them to
lc sacrifice the principle of arbitration.
10 Mr.. Lee Issues Statement.
Elisha Lee, chairman Of the National
,e Conference Committee of the railways,
er issued a statement tonight in which
he he said
nv ''That the railroads should grant, un-
n der threat of national strike, a $780,
ng 100000 wage prcferment to small
lal minority of their employees without
,p- hearing before a public tribunal is in
conceivable in a democracy like ours.
ap- "All questions at issue-wages, costs
ms operating conditions-are submerged
rv- by the greater issue: "Shall arbltra-
ton be abandoned in the settlement of
zen industrial disputes3''
are Would Meet Peoples Desire.
ing The statement suggests, however,
the that the railroads stand ready. to take
ion whatever action the people of the coun-
es- try desire. It concludes: .-
bile "The weight of public opinion must
nth determine this issue. We cannot be-
- ;o ho oo1
re- the country that we should sacrifice the
,ver principle of arbitration in industrial
the disputes, under a threat to tie up .ht
urts commerce of the country .....
att While the officials were listening tt
aced President Wilson and later conferrlni
,iv,l at their hotel, the general committee
ding of private representatives of the EN-
hich ployes who already have accepted Tn
tion President plan, held a, perfunctor
,ired meeting and marked time awaiting Tn
over decision of the employers They sal
who thew would wait until President WI
and son dismissed them, but stood read
,;sci m eau a strike should the negotl;
tions fail. -,----
ever. Although few of the railroad ex
q of outivaS invited nau HUI dlltN0A ''-
afternoon, it was decided that those
ready in Washington were represe
tatives and therefore the Presidef
LIES called them to the White. House 81
earnestly urged that his plan OF sc
a Re Element be ratified.
e Not Responsible for Failure
-. eeI will not allow passion TO Col
,nsive into my thoughts in this, solemn mi
br ter, he said. s'We are both acting
is at trustees of the great Interests: i. l
III the willing to ALLOW, this matter; after TO 60
more the great American jury and let tn
Ger assume. the oresponssihtAity. The resp
they sibility of failure vii, not .rest "
)unda- me,-~,-. - o-o.a .,c- - t.r.-
,clares AsI,wish YOU to consider .tne co"
ID the onenees-,as- affecting the people
g laid the,ci tiles and couptFxsiddees OF a an
army . to. agree. The country cannot I'VE
Major the mean. of, keeping ally alive IT It vi
ic- also ,;,.;.o-4 4 Continued op Page Two Two:)