Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-16
Further Conferences De-
layed in Railroad Situa-
-, ton to Tomorrow. ~
OUTLOOK is NO BETTER
Managers and Employees Dis
cuss Plans-Eight- Hour
Day Hanging Fire. :

Washington, Aug. 16.-TO break
the deadlock between the railroad
managers and the brotherhood
leaders a new proposal appeared
today for a special commission TO
consider not only the present wage
dispute but all others in the future.
While President Wilson, the
managers committee and the
spokesman for the men awaited
the arrival of the employees COM
mittee of $40, which ia expected
here from New York tomorrow
for the next White house confer
ence, administration officials and
the representatives of the two
sides considered the commission
idea with a degree of seriousness
which indicated it would come in
to the negotiations as one of the
next steps in the presidents at
tempt TO avert nationwide
strike.
Washington, Aug. 16-President
Wilson decided today to postpone
further conferences with the rep
resentatiyes of the railroads and
employees on the threatened rail-
road strike until tomorrow, when
he will receive the general COM
mitee of $40 wOrkmen i'm the east
room of the White house.
In the meantime the committee
of managers here and the general
committee of the employees VIII
meet to discuss tentative plans
now before them.
The president, through Judge VII
liam l.. Chambers of the federal board
80 al sufs 81
keep in close touch with the repre-
sentatives of both sides. No engage
ment has been made for the managers
committee but it is probable that the
president will see them tomorrow. The
plan on which the president is work
ing is to put into effect the S-hour day
and have federal commission inyesti-
gate collateral issues. 1t was said to
be possible today that if the railroads
conceded an S-hour day the employees
will be urged to give up their demand
for time and half overtime.
The proposed commission investfga-
ton would not have power to enforce
any decision but would investigate all
questions involved in the controversy
and make recommendations.
The halt in negotiations has been
caused primarily by the fact that the
brotherhood leaders who have been
meeting with the president have no
plenary powers and have to refer all
important questions back to their gen.
eral committee in New York.
FaVOrs Bringing Men TO Capital
President Wilson decided time would
be saved and better results achieved IL
the $40 members Of the general COM
mittee were brought to Washington
and meet him directly. Therefore it was
decided TO hold a general meeting at
the White house Thursday.
The committee of managers remain
ed in session almost continuously to-
day discussing the conferences with
the president and the tentative sugges-
lions outlined. 1t was stated that the
negotiations are now in such form that
definite decisions may be made by both
sides before the end of the week.
Administration officials would not
predict the outcome of the negotiations
today because everything depends on
the decisions of the managers and the
employees. 1t was stated that hope for
a peaceful settlement had not been
abandoned.
Await Washington Instructions.
New York, Aug. 1.-THE general
committee composed OF $40 general
chairmen of the local unions of the
four great railroad brotherhoods
awaited today instructions from Wash
ington before deciding whether TO go
to Washington TO participate In the
conference with President Wilson and
before deciding when to start II they
go to the capital.
w. S. Carter. president OF the Broth
erhood of Firemen and Enginemen, ar
rived from Washington early today and
was in conference with the chairmen
here.
win Go TO Capital.
Just before Mr.. Carter went into con-
ference with the chairmen he an
nounced that he expected 10 return TO
Washington late today with the en-
tire general committee. He said that
an arrangement had been made for
two special trains 10 carry the chair
men TO Washington.
At the hotel where the union men
have their headquarters il was said
that any proposals tentatively accepted
by the chiefs Of the brotherhoods and
their committee OF 80. now in Washing
ton, would be ratified virtually without
protest by the chairmen OF the local
unions, without whose approval no
agreement would be effective.
The Invitation of President Wilson