The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-23
Reported Railroads VIII Ask
Legislation to Prevent Re
currence Of Such Situation
AND WILL WANT WAY
TO GEL MONEY BACK
Reported in Washington Con-
cession viii Re Proposed
subjectto Withdrawal Icon
ditions Not Complied With

Washington, Aug. 22--The sub
committee of the railway executives
appointed as a board OF strategy TO
frame a reply to President Wilson'S
demand for concessions to the men
that will prevent a general strike nave
made tentative report
1t Is understood they have recon-
mended the granting of the eight-hour
4 day. but with a string tied to 1t. the
purpose OF the string, II is said, is
10 make possible a withdrawal of the
concessions II the President does not
give satisfactory guarantees OF mucn-
desired new legislation.
The announcement Of the prelim-
1nary report followed within few
hours after cabinet meeting. al
which President WILSON'S attitude ON
the controversy was given unanimous
approval by his official family.
The subcommittee represents tho
4hree-score railroad executives who
answered the Presidents call to come
10 Washington. Its members are
closely affiliated with many OF the
greatest financial institutions IN the
country. The days proceedings.
which were continuous for ten hours
were frequently interrupted by con-
ferences over the long distance teie-'
phone.
whole received the report in secret
/ session tonight The beliigerent ele-
rnent. represented chiefly by the
ksyvtstern railroads. are said 10 have
| recognized the futili;v OF holding out
aga.nss thc President raUch longer.
+. was admitted the principal hope
now Ia 10 COMMIT. tho President and
| the government 10 definite assurances
providing two taings
yr,,at Railroads Want.
l. Legislation which Will prevent
recurrence Of similar crisis before
all the processes OF Judicial investi-
| CATION have been exhausted
Z practical guarantee that the
| railroads will be compensated for the
| money loss they claim sney will sus-
tain ny granting an eight-hour day
II In understood the plan ts 70 ask
the President TO urge Congress to
create two comnai sssons-~-one TO In
] yestiyate future wage difficultiesi the
other 20 make a special study of the
present dispute ard determine the
amount Of increased expense the new
i arrangement will impose.
On the report Of commission. such
A. the last -named, relief would he
expected frorn the Interstate Com
merce Commission in permanently in
. creased freight rates
The new report also suggests as an
alternative that the President agree
+ 10 release from an etght-hour agree
! nent II such IL reached the rail-
f roads on which IL can be shown that
. The short day Arrangement is imprac-
ficahle
n the suggestions contained in the
| tentative plan are approved by the
executives, delegates viii be appoint
"a to confer with the President to-
morrow and report back in order that
the compromise proposal may be
| formally made
Jury On Presidents Side.
This Is the railroads side of the
controversy. Persons close 10 the
/ white House indicate that the Presi-
| dent IL not In frame OF mind 10
make concessions. The approval
riyen his proposals by the cabinet are
aid to have strengthened his deter
! saination to remain Arm for the eight
! hour day plan without entangling
qualifications The President has re-
ceived assurances from many quar-
= ters that the public which he yester-
Aay referred to AZ the great Ameri-
an fury" IL on his side of the argu-
Rsnt.
Tho railroad executives have Also
endeavored to arouse sympathy from
fhe public One result was flood
. 81 kilograms from agricultural and
commercial organizations from all
PARTS OF the country, but chiefly from
! fhe West. The majority Of these
messages protested against the eight
| hour day as proposed by the broth
/ erhoods and urged by President Will
son.
The subcommittee, which has
undertaken to unravel the tangle by
WhIch q disastrous strike can be
| averted originally consisted of only
| 40 members. Hale Holden. OF the
| darlington. chairman Fairfax Har-
rison. Of the Southern Railway; r. s.
i0yetf, Of the Union Pacinc: Alfred
ana Daniel willard. OF the Baltimore
20 osiserr WIN Make like Demand. !
since the arrival OF more execu-
{fves, W. w. Atterhury. OF the Penn
svivania; z. r, Ripley. OF tho Santa
~. and Frank Trumbuli OF the
Chesa peake and Ohio, having been
added to the committee.
II was learned tonight that the ten
4ative report warned the executives i
Isthat granting the eight hour day to |
| only s minority of the railroad en-
|snioyes IN the country was almost GER
E1nln to be a cause OF future trouble !!
~ wAS declared President Wilson'S
Seoposal would beHefit only 500. 900 |
IN out OK 1000. 900 employed by the |
Efnt3rcads and that those not included |
would be certain to start trouble.
Among many other subjects In |
xnIved were differentials and wage /
echsduleA which have necsssitated |
that the committee representing the |
exocutives call into consultation with |
9ken the conferences committee Of /
ulenA8erA
4 q IA wAs explained that the managers 4
VI made = special study Of the pues-
E16ns Involved. whiie the executives \
7--.'s7 49, 3