Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-23
OWN, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 49, 1916
How Situation Stands.

On the basis of information from an
authoritative source the situation may
be outlined as follows:
The railroad officials are working
out proposals which they will submit
to the president embodying proposed
modification of his terms Of settlement
The executives so far have received
no encouragement to believe that the
president will consider any changes In
his proposed compromise save possibly
in regard to the commission to lnves-
tigate the overtime pay
The railroad chiefs would like to
have this commission made a perma-
nent body to arbitrate all disputes be-
tween the carriers and their employees.
If the president flatly refuses to re-
cede from the demands he has made
on behalf of the unions the carriers
proba bly, will submit to the terms, pro-
vided they receive adequate guarantees
of a subsequent increase of freight
rates sufficient to offset the wage ad-
vances, estimated by the railroads at
$50,000000 a year.
Modification Only Hope.
Some Of the executives frankly admit
that their only hope now is to induce
the president to make some moditica-
ton in his plan which will embody to
some extent the principles for which
the railroads are contending. They
practically concede that If the presi
dent stands his ground they will be
compelled to agree to the eight hour
day.
They will put forth a prodigious ef-
fort, however, to procure some sort OF
recognition of their contention that all
disputes henceforth should be settled
by arbitration. They would prefer to
have the interstate commerce commits
sion enlarged and directed to act as
arbiter of wage and other disputes be-
tween the carriers and their employees
In any event the carriers argue that
the commission proposed by the presi-
dent to investigate the effects of the
eight hour day and to determine over
time pay should be made a permanent
body, and some plan worked out in
connection Herewith to insure arbitra
tion OF all controversies.
Think He Must Yield Point.
President Wilson has committed
himself to the belief in arbitration tho
he was careful not to say whether vol
untary or compulsory arbitration. The
railroad chiefs do not see how he pos
sibly can refuse to incorporate in his
commission investigation plan a pro-
vision which will commit the unions
to, arbitration on such disputes as the
pending controversy.
The railroad chiefs believe that if the
president would consent to this modi-
flea tion and put the matter up to the
employees, the union leaders would be
placed on the defensive before the pub
lie and eventually would be compelled
to yield on the principle of arbitration
of future disputes
The majority Of the executives be-
lieve that in the last week the public
has come to realize the justice of their
contentious. but they had regretfully
reached the conclusion that the presi-
dent2is not disposed to recede from his
position so far as the eight-tlour da,
is concerned.
Stand Ry<Estimates.
President WilsoRsplans to see Senator
Newlands and Representative Adamson
again, probably late today, and expects
to get another call from the railroad
executives some time before tomorrow.
There were many indications that the
railroad presidents were considering the
eight-hour day on condition that some
definite assurance be given that future
disputes be arbitrated.
President Holden, of the Burlington,
chairman of the committee Of eight,
made this statement.
"A meeting of the president and man
ayers was held at II this morning and
@ recess was taken until 6 O'clock. In
the meantime the special committee of
presidents is in session giving further
consideration to the various problems
presented by the situation"
Elisha Lee, chairman Of the man
ayers committee, said:
There seems to be some question as
to the accuracy Of the estimates made
by the railways of what it would cost
to grant the demands of the train em-
ployes, and l make this statement t.
qualify the public mind on this phase
of the matter.
There has been no change in our
original estimate that to grant the de-
mand would add $1O0,00O,0O0 a year to
operation expenses. On this the COM
mittee investigation has confirmed the
substantial accuracy of that estimate"