The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-26

Washington. Aug. 25-The strike
menace Is at its most acute stAe0s
President Wilson informed the rail-
way executives today he could n41
guarantee at this session Of CongroN<!
the legislation exacted In return IT,
conceding the eight-hour day. He 49,
then confronted with this proposal:
That the compensation the men
shall receive under An eight-hour day
will be arbitrated; or
2-That the President guarantees
he will approve an increase in freight
rates sufficient to offset the increased
cost of operation
The President Is declared to hAvA
repeated his original promise to use
his personal and political influences,
but stopped at that. When the CONS
mittee left the White House both
sides were deadlocked The delay
angered the brotherhood leaders.
They started to go home. The move
call a strike at once. This informa-
ton reached the White House and tho
President sent d messenger hu, riedly
to the camp of the leaders with thu
request that they remain at least an-
other day. 5
Secretary Tumulty was sent to tho
headquarters of the executives with &
request that the subcommittee return
to the White House. The President
wanted to tell them. it Is said, that hs
expected an answer from them upon
which solution could be based by
Saturday night.
The brotherhoods. on hearing Of thu
ear-uitimatum. abandoned their
plans to leave. BY this means only
was n dangerous crisis averted.
Charge Of Politics Brought.
The railway executives are pressing
their charge that a deep political game
is being played from the White House
with the hope that success will have
a favorable effect at the November
election.
well-equipped press bureau has
been established and a steady stream
OF copy" intended TO influence pub
lie opinion against the Presidents de-
mands, is being issued.
Statements that were unobtainahfo
from the big fellows" few days ago
are now TO be had by the score and
without the asking.
Howard Elliott. of the New Haven
Railroad, and formerly of Harvard
University. turned loose his guns on
his old friend, President Wilson. He
said in part:
The eight-hour question should
only be settled after being carefully
considered by a tribunal free from
prejudice and partisanship."
President Ashton. of the Chicago
and Northwestern, said: THE demand
is unfair, as the wages of the rail-
road operatives have increased much
faster in proportion than the revenue
traffic'
Notwithstanding this sitaation,
President Wilson announced at the
cabinet meeting that he expected an
amicable settlement of the contro~
versy in few hours.
Shortly before the executives went
into conference tonight one OF them 4
said: I'VE have taken into consid-s
Grafton in arriving at a common un-s
derstanding that We are the trustee4S
of SIT, 900. 100000 of property and e.
the transportation system OF the coun-
try. We have determined that w&ss
must maintain the integrity Of our
trusteeship.
I'VE have considered further that
labor Is short, and that In some rNyxE
spects. including the question Of IN
Dor. the railroads have been Attack@1#
with a slight case of creeping paraly
sis. asx5
I'VE have not forgotten our obj
cations to our employees and to tn55
public. They receive first constderass2
ton. The public Is entitled 70 N1#
best transportation service 1t the lo1.4
est cost possible ~
''The members OF the brothsxheG
are among ths bsst 80 en1iey
Il II IA q