Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-08-27
Discusses Congressional AS
surance of Rate Increase
with Two Leaders.
n@n-A--v FETETT
RAJ ! WAY OFFED
brotherhood Lenders May Be Willing
to Negotiate Fur. her, with Proposal
OF Executives as BaSis-WilSOn Re-
fuses See Executives Last Night.

Washington, Aug. 25.--The threat
ened railway strike took on such
grave aspect today that President
Wilson turned toward congress for
solution of the problem.
Suddenly, this afternoon, when it
became known that the railroad ex-
ecutives were unanimous in their re-
fusal to accept his plan of settlement.
President Wilson personally went 20
the capital and laid before Majority
Leader Kern of the senate and Sena-
tor Newlands, chairman of the inter-
static commerce committee, the state
ment of the railroad neads that con-
gress must guarantee some source
of added revenue, if they are to
meet the demands Of their employees.
How this could be accomplished
President Wilson did not suggest.
Immediately afterward senators be-
gan discussing the proposal to have
congress record itself in favor of
rate increase. No arrangement were
made today for the president to ad-
dress congress on the subject but 1t
was considered likely that he might
do something during the coming
week, if the situation continues criti-
cal.
Tonight the railroad executives fin
ished framing their answer to Presi-
dent Wilson's plan, and notified the
white house they were ready. Presl-
dent Wilson sent word he would pre-
fer to see thin Monday morning at
10 o'clock.
The brotherhoods' leaders. after
being in meeting most Of the day,
adjourned to 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. Many Of them left town to-
night.
The refusal Of the railroads to ac-
cept the presidents plan, including
concession of the eight-hour day and
proposing counter plan such as
previously has been outlined, will put
the next move up to the brotherhood
leaders. 1t probably will come to
them officially Monday after President
Wilson has heard it from the execu-
tives.
Wilson Will Reject.
The situation, as summed up late
tonight by those in close touch with
it, was this:
President Wilson has seen the pub
lished reports of the reply the ehecu-
lives will make him Monday and does
not wish to accept 1t.
1t would not surprise those in the
confidence of the railroad Officials 70
have him make counter proposal at
that time. retaining his original prop.
osition for an eight-hour dav but
Offering the roads as compensation
congressional assurances Of fre'~
rate increase and commission
settle further DISPUTES.
Among the executives tonl"h+
was clearly evident tina '""h
counter propose, probably woNH ~
be accepted. Whether they w'n'd
ceive 1t from President Wilson IN
take it under consideration for f.T
DAVIS was not at all certain but It
ultimate rejection was forecast Aerl-
orally.
Men Nav Negotiate Further.
The position Of the men is not
clear. Apparently, they will not ac-
cept the reply of the executives as 1T
has been published, but they might be
willing % negotiate with it as a basis
They will meet again at 10 o'clock to-
morrow.
Nobody knows the attitude of con-
gress toward the suggested legisla-
lion. It was pointed out that there
are many senators who bitterly OPP
posed the five per cent increase re-
Gently granted the Eastern roads, and
criticised the commission for its po-
sition in the case, and who might be
expected to oppose any proposal that
would direct 'he commission to grant
another increase.
The executives appear confident that
nublic opinion-a quantity in the
equation that they have not overlook
ed-will be with them in their In
sfstence upon the principle OF arbitra-
ton and their opposition to an eight
hour day.