Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-31
All Influence of Admins
tration Brought to Bear
on Union Leaders.
PRESIDENT MAY TURN
TO WORKERS THEMSELVES
Confidence Still Prevails in Off
cial Circles That There Will
Be No Walkout.
AT WORK ON LEGISLATION
Urgent Necessity for Emergency
Action Immediately.


WASHINGTON August 3o-A1l the
influence OF tho adminiss was
brought To bear to-day in an effort
| TO persuade the railroad brotherhood
leaders to cancel or postpone the order
calling a nation strike on Mon
day. while leaders in Congress began
paving the way for legislation de-
signed to prevent or stop the threat
cncd Industrial catastrophe
Little tangible progress was made in
either direction. but. nevertheless. i'm
official quarters Tonight there still
prevailed confidence that in one way
or another the walkout would be
averted.
To the spokesmcn Of President Will
son who approached them all OF tho
brotherhood officials gave the Same
reply: that they had no power to recall
the strike order. and that only one
thinE--a satisfactory settlement--could
keep their men at work after ! A. M
on Labor Day. Further pressure will
nc brought to bear, and as last
resort the President is considering a
public appeal TO the men themselves
to have the order rescinded
Apparently the legislation which is
brothcrhoods is that part OF the Prcsi-
dents program which would fix an
iGht-hour day for railroad employees
! engaged in operating trains in inter
state commerce and provide for an
investigation OF it's effects by com
mission or board. This embodies the
principal features of the Presidents
original plan. accepted by the train
men. and w q. Lee. head OF the train
men. said tonight thnt its enactment,
with u guarantee Of the present rate
OF daily pay, would he regarded by
the brotherhood leaders as IL "satis-
factory settlement" Immediately upon
its becoming law. he said. tho
brotherhood leaders would send out
the code message notifying general
chairmcn that the strike order should
not go into effect.
LEADERS SAY SUCH
LAW COULD III: PASSED
Even some OF the congressional
leaders who oppose other features OF
the program say such law could be
passed.
The Senate virtually sidctracked the
emergency revenue bill for an all-day
debate on the crisis. while the Inter-
state Commerce Committee arranged
for hearings beginning at y O'Clock to-
morrow morning, when representatives
Of both sides will be heard Three
hours will be given to each side, and
then the committee viii begin drafting
ieGisla ton into shape for presentation
to the Senate on Saturday.
Dominant thought in the minds OF
the members OF Congress generally 70.
suited in tho introduction late in the
a. :. r,S hN- Go pl,t,.
Lee of Maryland. calling upon officials
of the railroad brothcrhoods to post
ponc execution OF the strike order for
one week to give Congress sufficient
time FOR Intelligent consideration OF
legislation suggested in President Will
sons message The resolution was re-
fcrrcd to the Interstate Commerce.
Committee without discussion.
Opinion In the Senate. after the gem
cral debate, concentrated on TIE urgent
necessity for emergency action first.
proposals for permanent Legislation to
he considered thoroughly after danger
Of an Immediate tie up had been
passed. This sentiment; was forcibily
expressed on the floor and echoed in
conferences OF House leaders.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES
PROPOSED LEGISI.ATtOS
The Interstate Commerce Committee
discussed the proposed legislation late
in the day. but postponed action until
after to-morrow's hearings. In the
meantime word came from the House
side that Representative Adamson,
chairman OF the Commerce Com,nittee
and Majority Leader kitchin had con-
cludcd that the ciSht-hour day law
could be passed through the House.
Tentative drafts Of measures SUBJ
mittcd TO the Senate committee and
communicated TO all parties 10 tho
controversy during the day. includc the
following provisions to be attached to
a pending bill. which would enlarge
the Interstate Commerce Commission:
establishment OF eight hours as tho
standard for Il days work for railroad
employees operating trains in inter-
state commerce. and the appointment,
by the President OF Il wage commits
sion Of three members To observe tho
administration and finacial effects OF
institution OF thc ciGht-hour day, the
President to submits it's recowmenda-
tonS TO the lntcrestatc Commerce COM
MISSION which would accept the find.
inEs, unless clearly erroneous, ard ad.
lHSt rates TO insure fair return on
invested capital; wages CT employees
NOT to be reduced, for Il period to be de-
termincd. below the present standard
days wage, pending the report and
pro rata proportion to he paid for ser.
vice IN excess OF eight hours. Ia. COM
missions also TO study and report on
The problem az compensation Tor rail.
road employees
Ane endment OF existing arbitration
law directing the board OF mediation (