Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-21

presidents and their committee OF
managers worked steadily today to de-
wise some means Of averting the
threatened strike, under which they
would in the main accept President
Wilson's plan but at the same time
preserve the principle of arbitration.
The managers declared they were
united against the presidents plan as
it stands. They are considering under
what circumstances they could find a
way for the acceptance Of the eight
hour basis and still preserve the prin-
ciple OF arbitration.
Western presidents arriving today
seemed to believe a way could be
found to avert strike.
Summoned to White House.
The men, after a brief meeting to-
day. adjourned to meet again tomor-
row and in the meantime sent dele
gates to congressman to- explain to
them the situation. The situation was
expressed by both sides as serious but
not hopeless.
President Wilson, toward noon, sent
word to the railway presidents who are
now here asking them to call on him
at the White House at 2 o'clock this
afternoon. The presidents, who were
discussing the situation, agreed to
confer with the president, but it was
said they would make no statement
unless he requested It.
Wilson Defends Stand. ,s i
That President Wilson is determined
to force the railroads into compliance
with his demand for the grant of the
eight hour day and increased wages
to their 100000 train operating en-
ployes was evidenced by developments
at the White House.
In telegram to President George
Pope, Of the National Association Of
Manufacturers, Mr.. Wilson denied the
charge of the railroad executives that
he has abandoned the principle of ar
bitration and given setback to the
progressive movement for the pacific
settlement Of wage disputes.
The president defends his plan for
the settlement Of the pending contro-
versy, asserting that it strengthens the
principle Of arbitration and constitutes
the first step in the direction Of estab-
fishing permanent basis of arbitra-
tion."
Mr.. Wilson argues that inasmuch as
there exists no governmental means of
enforcing arbitration of the contro-
versy between the railroads and their
employees his plan offers the most
feasible means of averting the threat
ened strike.
Not to Modify Demands.
The utterances of the president in
his communication to Mr.. Pope are re-
garded not only as a defense against
the criticism Of his action voiced by
the railroad executives in their public
statement yesterday, but 3as a decla-
ration that he will not modify his de-
mands which were formulated with
the approval Of the union leaders.
There is in the presidents telegram
to Mr. Pope hint that he will under
take to obtain legislation providing for
compulsory arbitration. He will take
connection with the present, contro-
versy, and it is practically certain he
will make no move in this direction
until after the election.
Rail Chiefs Anger Arises.
The railroad executives are indig-
nant at the attitude Of the president,
who, they believe, has gone over to
the side Of the unions completely and
Is prepared to use every ounce Of his
vast power to impose the employees
terms upon the carriers.
The disclosure that the president
contemplates seeking legislation au-
thorizing him to seize and operate the
railroads in order to avert strike has
Increased the anger Of the railway
executives. It transpired today that
they got wind Of the presidents plan
several days ago and have been dis
cussing the matter In their own con-
ferences.
May Call Wilson Bluff.
The carriers do not believe the
president seriously intends to attempt
such drastic action, which they are
confident would elicit storm OF dis
approval from the country at large.
They think that the president is
bluffing, that he would not go further
than threaten to seize the roads in the
event the executives return a definite
rejection of his settlement plan.
The railway officials say that II the
president does threaten to go to con-
gress for authority to operate the rail-
roads they will tell him to go as far
as he likes. They believe that the
action would arouse the millions of
stockholders in the railroads and that
congress would respond to the storm
Of objection with refusal to pass tht
proposed legislation.
Wilson Favors Legislation. !.
One OF the suggestions the president
was prepared to make at the White