East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-08-19
Wilson Makes Statement Declaring Atti-
tude is Unfair and Impracticable---De-
clares 8 Hour Day Should be Accepted
as Wage Basis
HEADS Of WESTERN LINES ARE SUMMONED
Urged to Come to Wash
ington at Once or Send
Representatives.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.e-Railway
determined to refuse Wilson's prOpO-
sitiOn. They prepared a statement
refusing to yield the principle of ar
bitratiOn. Wilson may present q new
proposal.
Wilson is determined to effect q
settlement. 1t is understood he has
not yet exhausted all his resources.
He may ask mutual concessions.
Railway executives are probably viii
ling to cOncede something.
The railway presidents told Wilson
they refused to relinquish their arbi-
tratiOn demand. Wilson replied that
that attitude was unfair and imprac-
ticable because the trainmen had re-
peateiIy refused arbitration.
PRESIDENTS STATEMENT.
Wilson made the statement: ~
recommend the concession OF an eight
hour day believing the concession
right. It should be adopted as q wage
basis even where actual work cannot
be completed within eight hours.
Railroads now having the eight hour
day do not seem at serious dlsadvant-
age compared with railroads having
ten hours.
''Only experience can make cer-
tain what arrangements are fair
for both sides.
That experience would be . def
mite guide for the interstate COM
merce commission TO determine
whether the railroads are entitled 10
higher freight rates on account Of the
change. I therefore propose the post
pOnement of the trainmens extra
overtime pay demand. In the mean
time l should seek congressional Au-
thority to appoint a small body Of i'm
partial men to investigate and report
the facts without recommendation.
Then either party could terminate the
agreement, inviting inquiries and sug-
gested adjustments. Ii seems thor
oughly practical and entirely fair.
think the public has a right To expect
its acceptance"
Wilson summoned additional wesf.
crn railway presidents this afternoon.
Western Presidents Summoned.
wilson's telegram to the western
railroad presidents said: The discus
sion Of matters involved in the threat
ened railway strike is continuing. Il
Is highly important that should
personally confer with YOU or some
one authorized TO represent YOU AT the
earliest possible moment. Hone Won
can arrange matters so as to be able
10 come to Washington Immediately"
Wilson Shows Strain.
While addressing the presidents this
morning for half an hour Wilson
paced the floor in front of the men.
ne showed plainly the strain he has
undergone during the past week. He
declared he would not be the court "
lie said the American people were
the judges. He asserted when the
naked truth" was laid before the
people they would place the blame for
any crisis. He said ne felt sure tho
oiame would not fall upon him.
The thirty three executives present
told Wilson they cannot act for all
lne important roads. They only rep
resent their own. The executives
again told Wilson the railway man.
ayers were fully authorized to act.
Hill REFUSES s-Holr Plan
ST PAUL Aug. 1g. Wilson haas
telegraphed Louis W HIN to attend
the conference.
Hill said I'VE will stand out against
tne eight hour day Wilson's present
plan Of averting the strike even II
every other American railway accepts
the plan"
Hill interests control the Great Nor.
thern Northern Pacific aud Burling.
ton.
He added Such a plan means re-
ceiyership. In addition tt would
cripple train service In the south
twenty eight railroads operate under
the eight hour day principle Every
one, without exception ls In the re-.
ceivers hands, We won't BE-. We
couldn't get increased rates 70 bal.
ance the increased cost We know
that We simply will not accept the
principle our government operates
the Panama railroad 70 gets four
times the freight rates We get here.
Yet that road has not winter con-
diuous and no hills. no tunnels"