The commonwealth., 1916-08-18

Der of workingmen to the White House
without others present for a discussion
OF labor problem stood until paral-
lelled. The employees remained un-
demonstrative during the remarks of
MIR. Garretson and the President, At
the conclusion of the meeting thew
formed in line and shook hands with
Mr.. Wilson. Many smiled broadly as
they left the White House.
In his talk to the men the President
explained his feelings that strike
must be avoided at any cost because
of the disastrous effects on the coun-
try. He then said that after review
ing the situation thoroughly with the
small committee representing the en-
ployers and employees, he had drawn up
a plan which he hoped would be ac-
cepted by both.
The President declared he believed in
the principle of the eight hour day,
and that he thought the greater part
of the people of the United States held
a similar view. He also sought to i'm
press on the men that he knew what
it meant to work for a living. He said
he had learned early in his life the
trials of "making both ends meet''
Regarding the collateral issue the
President admitted that he was at a
loss to say how they should be settled.
If the question Of overtime and other
problems were left to him, he said, he
would have to ask for a commission to
help him decide what would be fair.
He added that in his belief there were
enough honest men in the United
States to decide these questions fairly
to both sides and that they would do
so if called upon.
At the conclusion of the President s
talk the four brotherhood heads ques-
toned him in order to bring out all the
points for the benefit of the members
of the general committee who have not
been at the previous White House con
ferences.
If the men desired, the President
said, they could remain in the room
and decide whether they would ap-
prove or reject his proposition. He
was willing, he said, to withdraw and
let them come to a decision. Mr.. Gar
retson thanked the T sldent, but ex
planned that he believed it would be
best for the men to go to their hall
for meeting.
When they left, the men were in
vited to shake hands with the Presi
dent. When about half of them haG
done so w. S. Carter, head of the en-
ginemen, noticed Mr.. Wilson wincing
occasionally as husky employees gripped
his hand tightly.
"Just touch the President s hand
men, Mr.. Carter said. "He is un
accustomed to your kind Of grips.'
) The President smiled his appreciation
of Carter's thoughtfulness. After they
left the White House the men were il
, conference for two hours at their hal
, but decided to delay a formal decision
until tomorrow s meeting.
The brotherhood men were please'
: over the President s plan and every
where the feeling existed that the.
would approve it overwhelmingly.
Every precaution was used to pre-
vent any save members of the brother
hood from obtaining admission to tn
various meetings today. At the Whit
House brotherhood men carefully ider
, titled every man in the meeting be
= fore the President spoke.
The President s decision to invit
the railroad presidents to the Whit
House was reached after he had b'
come convinced that the committee c
managers here would not consent
the eight hour day plan. The invit;
tions were sent to 10 railroad president
at first, but it was extended to a
presidents Immediately accessible.
They will see the President at H.:
a. m, tomorrow when he will explal
to them every detail his plan, and NAL
practically the same speech which
: delivered to the employees today. Tho
: who arrived tonight from New Yo1
;, included:
&c Frank Trumbull, chairman of tt
;, Chesapeake & Ohio; E. J. Pearson, vic
70 president New York, New Haven
Hartford; w. J. Harahan, preside
Sea board Air Line; Daniel E.~Willar
~ president Baltimore & Ohio; G. Nv. ST
q vens, president Chesapeake & Obi
p and A. H. Smith, president New 70
n Central.
at Fairfax Harrison, president Of t
N, Southern, joined the officials here a
or word was received that John ID. Pe
by ton, president of the Nashville, Chi
IL tanooga & St. Louis, had left MAJ
IT. Vile for Washington and that L.
he johnson, president of the Norfolk
ed Western, would arrive tomorrow fr
to Roanoke. Other officials are expect
tomorrow from Chicago.
on William Jennings Bryan, it develoE
ses today has sought unsuccessfully to