The Washington herald., 1916-08-19

of government ownership of railroads be-
cause the private management of them
had failed
adjourned at IL o'clock to meet again at
$50 this morning. They discussed the
Presidents suggestion. but did not at
tempt to Arrive at any decision.
They were engaged in the preparation
of a statement to be handed to President
Wilson today. This statement, it is au-
thoritatively said. will not be a reply to
the Presidents suggestions for a settle
ment; 1t will merely present the case for
the railroads. 1t will be intended only
for the Presidents guidance.
The executives and managers intend
that II shall make the President fully
acquainted with the equities in their
side in the controversy. The statement
was not completed at adjournment
1t was said by a railroad president
last night that no vote will be taken either
today or tomorrow on the Presidents
proposal and that the executives and
managers will ask for another conference
with the President at which time their
final reply may be delivered. II was be-
lieved last night that decision would be
reached by Tuesday at the latest.
II the railroads refuse to accept the
vert to their original demands for an
eiSht-hour day and n time and a half
pay for overtime. This decision was
reached by the brotherhood chairrnen to-
night.
The railway presidents are plainly dis
gruntled over the Presidents attitude
Several of them declared last night that
he did not display adequate knowledge
of the situation.
IJaIa Jold
Burlington and Quincy Railroad acting
as spokesman for the railroad execu-
tives, told the President that the whole
principle of arbitration was at stake in
the controversy. He made these main
points:
l. That the principle of arbitration must
be conserved for the settlement of in
dustrial disputes.
. That the proposed eight-hour day
would not If granted, really effect eight
working hours for working men. but
would result only in increased wages for
the members OF the four brotherhoods.
g. That the Presidents plan for the set
tlement of the controversy was imprac-
ticabIe
Mr.. Holden told the President that the
issues involved were broader than a mere
question OF hours and wages He de-
clared that the whole principle Of arbi-
The Committee of Railway Managers
he pointed out, were clothed with the
power of attorney. They, and only they.
represented with unlimited authority the
25 railroad systems of the United States
The presidents, vice-presidents, and re-
ceivers, he declared. could only speak
for their individual companies.
He said. however, that the executives
had promptly responded to the Presi-
iToNrf tot 10 fol- ,,;+t.
him. They would take his plan under
consideration with open minds, Mr. Hol-
said, and return the Presidents answer
due tomorrow
The executives and managers went into
secret session at 10:45 o'clock yesterday
morning, and the meeting lasted until the
chiefs started for the White House
shortly before o'clock. After their
conference with President Wilson which
lasted forty-five minutes. the executives
again went into conference with the
managers. adjourning at o'clock until
$50 last night.
The executives and managers at their
morning conference decided upon the re-
ply Mr.. Holden should make to President
Wilson in behalf of the railroads
The entire situation was reviewed. and
it was determined that a sacrifice of the
principle of arbitration by the railroads
might cause incalculabIe harm in the fu-
ture. To assent to its abolishment in the
present instance, it was said, would
mean that 1t never would be resorted to
again, for labor. having succeeded in de-
stroying it, would never consent to its re-
vival
Labor, 1t was said, should surrender
be made, always hereafter would insist
upon immediate granting of its demands
counting upon an appeal 10 the President
to back 1t, without recourse to inyestI-
cation and a just verdict based on its
findings.
1t was insisted that the railroad en-
ployes never have receded from and
right or privilege they had acquired, and
that II the eight-hour day with pro rata
pay for overtime should be granted
pending an investigation into the fairness
Of such wage increase the railroads
could have no hope of having the in1us-
tices undone by any later inquiry