Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-08-17

CONTINUED from page i.p
lerhoods. whereby the eight hour day
shall go into effect al once. With
lthis in effect. the question of methods
of enforcing it-whether by means
of the time and half for overtime.
or BY some other means-will be
made the subject OF Investigation and
adjustment with the federal govern
ment perhaps taking part in the ad-
jnstment-
The railroad brotherhoods have
insisted steadily that there Is no other
effective method OF enforcing the
eight hour day. The presidents
problem. II the railroads definitely
eoneede the eight hour principle to
the extent Of agreeing to give II \
trial. seems to be to convince the
railroad employees that the time and
half overtime issue should be held
in obeyanee during the trial period.
Interest rested chiefly In the SOL
emn session this afternoon In the
beautiful east room. celebrated only
for Affairs OF social splendor. from
the days when Dolly Madison dane
ed. down to the present The gor-
geous furniture was removed and
camp chairs crowded closely together
on the polished r1oor The session
beginning at o'clock was expected
to last one hour and possibly two or
three.
The employees representatives were
serious and. for the most part. ST.
lent, as the time approached for their
gathering at the White House. What
they are prepared to eoncede. none
would say. Some Of the leading
members OF the general committee In
dicated their belief that q way was
about to be found to prevent the
clash that seemed inevitable less than
a week ago. But what the way might
be. they would not discuss.
They jammed the corridors OF the
old time Pennsylvania avenue hotels.
near the capitol. where they have
made their headquarters and strolled
back and forth along the avenue.
keeping always close to their hotels.
to be ready. II necessary. to confer.
For the most part they were the man
ner OF men who had reached a con-
clusion and there was little debating
among themselves.
Occasional groups developed-all
on one side-oyer the merits Of their
fight, but the greater number OF the
district ehairmen seemed concerned
with the task Of seeing as much OF
Washington as conld be seen from
TIE sidewalks OF the avenue.
The erspioyes' subcommittee went
Into secret conference at the National
tcte. this forenoon. Judge w. L.
Chambers OF the federal board OF
mediation and conciliation was pres
ent for rart OF the conference, but
left early.
Judge Chambers brought to the
brotherhood heads during the morn
ling a question from President Wilson
based, 1t is said, on the last com
munication from the railroad man
ayers. opposing the eight hour day
He remained only seven or eight
minutes during which time he wal
given his reply.
The presidents action resulted
from the attitude taken by the rail
road managers, In statement left
at the White House last night By
Elisha Lee, chairman Of their com
mittee. In this they strongly indi
Gated they would not concede tb'
eight hour principle even for the pro
posed trial period and that th'
strongest concession they would mak'
would be to submit the whole mattel
to arbitration, the president to nam'
the arbitrators.
r Today the managers showed no dis
position to recede from this position
+ Several Of them declared they saw
5 politics in the presidents efforts
since accepting this plan would meal
putting the whole matter over unit
after elections. The committeemei
8 could not accomplish anything tang
: ble before next spring. they said.
4 The managers apparently are un
e moved by arguments OF the presiden
r that his proposal would result in
lavatann that wnuld nrnhahIv III