Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-23
WILSON LAYS HIS
RAIL WAGE plan
BEFORE CABINET
Members Go Over Situation
Fully and Believe Employ
ers Will Accept Propo-
sails Made.
PRESIDENT DRAFTS REPLY
Committe Of Eight, Headed by
Holden, Is Drawing Up
Counter Proposition.
DIRECTORS ARE CONSULTED

Washington, Aug. 2l.-While the
railroad presidents committee worked
on the counter proposal, the other
presidents had conferences among
themselves. While outwardly the
railroad executives maintained their
attitude of resisting the eight-hour
day there was feeling among ad-
ministration officials that they finally
would agree to some proposal includ-
ing it.
Six hundred and forty of the men
met Vice President Marshall in the
senate office building.
You are here" said the vice presi-
dent, "at the invitation of the presi-
dent of the United States, to prevent
what would be disastrous strike. |
trust that you have the same conf
dence in the president that have.
| shall not attempt to say anything
that might interfere with his efforts"
Brotherhood officials issued state
ment, attacking the sincerity of the
railroads in insisting upon arbitration.
They pointed out that about seventy
five small lines, which they declared
are dominated by the larger systems,
the managers have refused to include
in the negotiations The reason for
this, the statement said, is the COM
paratively small number of men em-
ployed on these lines and that "de-
mands on these properties do not con-
stitue a menace as they do on the
larger properties"
Washington, Aug. 22.--While the
railroad executives were working to-
day on counter proposition to Pres
dent Wilson's plan for averting the
threatened railway strike, the cabinet
went over the situation fully and con-
fidence was expressed by members
that in the end the railroads would
accept the presidents plan. What
assurances the cabinet had to 60 on
for such conclusion were not dis
closed. .3-
The counter proposal is expected to
be the next step, but there was no
outward indication today of when it
would be taken.
Sixty Presidents In Washington.
The answer OF more than sixty rail-
road presidents, including those Of
western roads, newly arrived, to Pres
ident Wilson's proposed plan for
averting the threatened strike was
formulated today. Early utterance Of
the railway heads displayed opposi-
ton to the presidents suggestion, but
it was considered possible a counter
proposal acceptable to the employees
would be made as the basis for fur
ther negotiations.
A committee had in charge the
framing Of reply and it appeared
doubtful that it could be finished to-
day. The employees committee of 64C
continued to mark time.
At 10 o'clock this morning the men
went into a meeting which was at
tended by the leaders of all -four
brotherhoods. No special purpos,
was attached to it and the leaders
said it was just to keep the men to-
gether. A statement in reply to the
arguments OF the railroad executive.
on the question OF arbitration was be
ing prepared by the leaders and prob
) ably will be issued for publication to
morrow. The brotherhood official.
) described the situation as unchanged
Committee Framing Reply.
The railroad executives made al
announcement that consideration o
the situation had been turned over Il
committee OF eight and that no con
clusions had been reached. The fol
lowing were announced as member,
OF the committee which willework OF
President Wilson's proposal and maxi
report to the assembled executives
. Hale Holden, Burlington; w. w
Atterbury, Pennsylvania; Fairfa,
| Harrison, Southern; Robert S. Loveti
/ Union Pacific; E. P. Ripley, Santa Fe
A. H. Smith, New York Central
Frank Trumbull, Chesapeake & Ohio
Daniel Willard, Baltimore & Ohio.
Executives Consult Boards.
While the subcommittee was work
ing, the executives got i'll touch wit
their boards of difectors. 1t was un
dcrstood that a reply might be read
for President Wilson tonight or to
morrow morning. In administrator
, circles it was said there was hope fo
; settlement. The nature of the pro
= posal to be submitted to Presiden
: Wilson was not revealed, but from tn
fact the executives were in com
munication with their boards OF d
rectors the conclusion was draw
: : that it concerned the concession Q
= the eight-hour day.