The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-08-25
Suggestion That Railroads Re-
coup Themselves For Additions
To Their Payrolls BY Increas-
ed Rates Meets Serious Check
RAILROAD PRESIDENTS ~
ARE STILL UNDEC ECIDED
Final Action Not Yet Determined
Upon Although Select Commit
tee Reports In Favor Of Sug-
gestions Made BY President
ASSOCIATED Press by Federal wireless,

AsHINGToN, August 25>-With
" the railroad presidents who
" have been comforting with
President Wilson over the threatened
railroad strike raising serious objec,
tions to the suggestions put forward by
Mr. Wilson, and the big shippers of
the nation openly unsympathetie with
his plan TO give the men an eight-hOur
day and help the railroads meet the
extra financial strain by allowing them
to raise their rates, the railroad situa-
than before.
The President 5 plan in some of its
aspects had been approved by the con
ference of the select committee Of rail
road heads, bat others Of them found
weak points IN the proposals made by
the Chief Executive, They pointed out
last night -khat !, NEhils the ~fRal. decision
has been postponed, the feeling Is that
some parts Of the President's plan are
impraeticable, They asserted that the
proposal TO increase freight rates, in
order TO meet the added demands upon
the lines, caused by the introduction
Of the eight hour day will be extremely
difficult to carry into effect.
Commissions Action Problem
It is impossible, they declared, to tell
what the Interstate commerce commits
sion win do with the question of in
creased rates, when it is submitted to
that body. Even should the commits
sion decide to allow the proposed in,
ereases, the new rates could not go in
20 effect before next March, by which
time il is possible that another I'D
ministration win be in power, and one
which IL is pointed out, may be an
tagonistic to the plan Of settlement
proposed by the present authorities.
The attitude of the big shippers
throughout the country is also having
its effect upon the railroad heads. The
suggestion that the roads be allowed
to recoup themselves by raising theil
rates has drawn scores of protests
from all parts of the country ant
from all classes of shippers.
The shippers declare that the inter
state commerce commission has repeat
edly refused to permit any inereas'
of rates, as asked by the railroads
and that the business off the country
win not bear the additional load sucl
an increase would mean.
Statement Of Attitude
Earlier in the day the select com
mittee Of the railroad presidents issue'
n statement following their conferenc,
with Mr.. Wilson, in which it was SAT-
that the railroad presidents are wiIhni
TO accept the eight.hour day demanded
by the men, and in return ask for as
surances of the Presidents support ant
that of the government to secure per
mission from the Interstate Commerce
Commission to, increase freight rates.
The railroads ask congress to Great
permanent board to handle all futur
labor difficulties. This board, the.
say, should be empowered to inVesti
gate threatened trouble and cOntrO
VeTsy.
Peace Pending Settlement
While it's investigation IS in prog
ress, no strike or strike vote is to b
allowed. The results of the inVestigG
tion are to be made public.
At the end of such investigation
arbitration will be suggested to settl
the outstanding points, but in the even
of no acceptance Of arbitration OppoI
tunity will be given for a strike vot'
and in this strike vote the ballotin
shall be secret.
The represe natives of the men al
apparently favorably disposed to Al
cept the plan. =r.,