The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-24

there might be a general exodus by Fri
day night If there were no indications
then that a settlement was in sight.
SENATORS SUPPORT WILSON
President Wilson discussed the situa-
ton with Senator Newlands and Repre-
sentative Adamson, chairman of the COM
mittees of Congress which deal with in
terstate commerce, and is expected to see
them again. 1t was said later that both
Senator Newlands and Representative
Adamson supported the Presidents posi-
ton after all developments had been laid
before them. There was some discussion
of the ACCESSIBILITY of government owner
ship legislation or the enactment of an
eght-hour day Law for railroads. Mem
bers of Congress expressed the opinion
that government ownership legislation
could not be put through Congress at
this time, but that an eight-hour law
might be passed after a long and bitter
fight
Senator Newlands and Representative
Adamson head a subcommittee which is
arranging a programme for the general
investigation of railroad problems au-
thorized by the recently passed Newlands
resolution. They will discuss their work
with the full committee at dinner to
be given by Senator Newlands in the next
few days. and it may be that some OF
the questions involved in the present
situation will be taken up at that time.
The Chamber of Commerce of the Uni
ted States tonight made public letter
to President Wilson signed by R. Good
wyn Rhett, it's president, supporting the
ton of disputed questions including the
eight-hour day.
EXECUTIVES EXPLAIN POSITION
Executives of several roads gave out
statements tonight explaining the posi-
ton the presidents have taken in the fight
with the men.
Jacob NJ Dickinson former Secretary
of War, and at present receiver for the
Rock Island, said the issue plainly was
that the employees were attempting to
enforce a demand for higher pay by
threatening the general welfare of all
the other people,"
Speaking for myself alone said a
statement by E. P. Ripley, president Of
the Santa Fe, Il do not hesitate to say
that if the brotherhoods would indicate
they are willing to work eight hours for
days pay, this controversy would be
settled in 20 minutes. What the brother
hood leaders have said to the public is
not in tune with the demands they made
of the managers committee. They tried
to give the public to understand that
they were endeavoring to establish an
eight-hour workday. OF the managers
committee they demanded pay for eight
hours for work done in less than that
time-seven. six, five and as short a Pc
Rod as three hours-with tiNe and half
for service performed afte4 eight hours. -
The executives made public tonight a
long list of kilograms and letters from
individuals and commercial organizations
in many parts of the country indorsng
their stand for arbitration and taking a
stand against the eight-hQur day.
MEN ARE RESTLESS
Although the brotherhood leaders are
reticent about the wave of unrest among
their members over being held in Wash
ington, one of them declared tonight that
he doubted if it would be possible to
keep the men here more than 4S hours
longer.
1t is apparent, however, that every eff
fort is being made by the leaders to
keep down the spirit of insurrection. If
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