The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-19
WILSON ISSUES
lCoDt.Da@a rrou rage une.l

WIEOUN lOODlO
lCoDt;nnsa from rage Jne.i
thirty three railway heads had assem-
bled at the White House to give their
! reply to the proposition. President
Holden of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy, told the president that they
continued to stand for arbitration and
did not believe it right to ask them
to abandon that principle He made
it plain, however. that the full power
of attorney to reject or accept the
presidents plan lay finally with the
railway managers committee. who are
still in the city, but who have not
participated in any of the conferences
with the president since the railway
executives arrived. 1t is expected that
before the final crisis has been reach
ed, the railroad managers will be
asked to the White House to indicate
whether they will accept or reject the
presidents plan. There is a strong in
dication today that rather than re-
ject it and precipitate a strike.
they will ask for more time and fur
Their conferences
Might Raise Railroad Rates.
The presidents intimation that the
interstate commerce commission might
be expected to give a very fair consid-
Grafton to rate increases, if the eight
things the managers will try to stir
up.
The president addressed the confer
ence with a thirty minute talk. e
said that sit was a condition not a
principle which is at stake IN the
present negotiations. 1t would be un-
fair and impracticabie to insist upon
arbitration when the men have 1e-
peatedly refused it and when there is
no system or law to compel it, he
added.
Let Investigation Decide.
He said he could not act as a judge
| but only make suggestions. He Of
fered, he said, what he believed was
| a practical means of meeting the sit
uation and urged the executives to put
1t into effect.
When the commission has been ap-
pointed, it can see how it works and
then the real facts in the case will
| come to light he said. Pending an
| investigation by this commission the
president said, he was forced by wide
| difference of opinion on the part of
/ the men and the managers as to the
task of applying the eight hour day,
to railway operation and that he him
self was obviously unable to judge
which contention was right
The Presidents Statement
Washington, Aug. 1S.-At 11:4o
o'clock the president issued the fol-
lowing statement from the White
House outlining his position in the
strike situation:
"I have recommended the conces-
sion of an eight hour day that is
the substitution of an eight hour day
for the present ten-hour day in al
the existing practices and agreements
| 1 made this recommendation because
1 believed the concession right. The
leight-hour-day now undoubtedly has
. the sanction of a majority OF society
in its favor and should be adopted as 2
basis for wages, even when the actua
: work to be done cannot be completed
within eight hours.
As to Stockholders.
? Concerning the adjustment which
} should be made in justice to the rail
!, roads and their stockholders in the
4 payment and privileges to which theil
4 men are now entitled (if such adjust
9 ments are necessary there is Wild
= divergence of opinion.
THE railways which have alread!
t adopted the eight hour. day do no
seem to be at any serious disadvan
t tage in respect of their cost of opera
J, ton, as compared with the railroad
Y that have retained a ten hour day
: and calculations as to the cost of tn
: change must be made now, be mad
D without regard to any possible admin
= istrative economies or readjustments
h. Only experience can make it certain
= re-arrangements would be fair an
e equitable either on behalf of the mel
or on behalf of the railroads. Tina
experience would be a definite guild
q to the Interstate Commerce commits
a sion for example, in determining
: whether as a consequence of tn
O change, it would be necessary an,
: right to authorize an increase of tn
: rates for the handling and carriage o
v freight (for passenger service is no
: affected.1
O Public Expects Acceptance.
ct, therefore, proposed that the de
mand for extra pay for overtime mad
a by the men and the contingent pre-
a posal of the railroad authorities
r postponed until facts shall have take
= the place of calculations and forecast
1. with regard to the effect of a chang
e. to the eight-hour day; that, in tn
v meantime, while experience was de
ii veloping the facts, 1 should seek, an
.e If need be, obtain authority fror
is the congress to appoint a small bod
n of impartial men to observe an
a theroly acQuaint themselves with tn
IT results with a view to reporting to cor
r gress at the earliest possible time til
is facts disclosed by their inquiries, BIT
10 without recomm dation of any kline
IS and that it should then be entirel
10 open to either or both parties to tn
ii present controversy to give notice {
i'd a termination of the present aere.