Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-15
Expect Managers to Give in
to Principle of Shorter
Working. Day.
AGAIN GROWS GRAVE.
Employees in Conference See
Little Hope for New
Proposal Made.

aug lOs-3IbFE
committee of railroad managers
had another conference with Pres
ident Wilson early today, it be-
came known that proposal was
unded consideration by which the
railroads would accept the prin-
ciple of an eight-hOur day and
leave the working out of its APP
plicatiOn TO the interstate COM
merce commission or some body
formed for the purpose.
Secretary Tumulty issued the fol-
lowing statement:
THE president spent an hour and
half this morning with the represen-
tatives of the railway management.
After the conference he said that il
was impossible as yet to report on the
results; all that he could say was that
a very candid and honest discussion
was in progress about practicable
basis of settlement"
Both Ready to COncede Points.
Whether this plan can be worked out
will not be known until President
Wilson presents it to the brotherhood
leaders.
The railroads are understood to be
ready to concede the principle of the
S-hour day, providing concessions be
made by the employees SO too heavy
burden will not be placed upon the
railroads.
The men say they principally want
the S-hour day on conditions that ii
shall be enforced whenever possible.
The railroads are said TO believe it i'm
possible to accept the S-hour day un-
less a workable system of application
can be built up. Members of the man
ayers committee said they had no
plans for the future and did not know
whether they would be called to the
White house again.
Must Be Decided Together.
The managers say the S-hour day
and the collateral issues are INSOFAR
able and that it would not be prac-
ticable to accept the S-hour day and
submit the other question to arbitra-
ton. All of the issues are inter-
woven, they contend, and must be de-
cided together.
Representatives Of the brotherhoods
heard of the proposal with interest
but insisted the proposition was not
new one.
None of the brotherhood officials
would commit himself on what the
attitude of the employees would be to-
ward such a proposal but they did not
appear optimistic over the likelihood
of it proving acceptable.
Would Go TO Board.
The employees representatives said
if such a proposition were rendered in
concrete form to them they could only
refer it to the general board, composed
of 600 committee chairman now in
New York
1t was probable, one of the officials
said, that if such a proposition were
submitted to them through the presi-
Iav rot IN
York and place it before the general
board.
Men PeSsimistic.
AS the heads of the railroad brother
hoods assembled at the White house
at 3 o'cock this afternoon for their
second conference with President Will
son there were expressions of doubt
among officials close to the situation
over whether the men would accept
the proposal of the railroads made 10
the president earlier in the day by the
committee.
In effect the railroads proposed, IL
was understood, 10 grant the basic
day and leave the question
of its application TO be decided by
some commission.
The heads OF the brotherhoods said
before going to the presidents confer
ence that they themselves could not
pass upon such proposition but would
have TO refer ii back to the general
committee of union heads in New
York. AS they entered the presidents
room, however. the union leaders gave
outward evidence OF pessimism.
Situation More Grave.
let US pray" was the cryptic re-
Spouse of A b. Garretson, head Of the
conductors, when asked what he
thought of the outcome.
Il hope TO the Lord, this conference
will be favorable" said Lee OF the
1t was apparent that the feeling OF
optimism which prevailed when yes
terday's conferences closed had mys-
teriously been dissipated today and
that all recognized the situation az
more grave.