Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-29
Railroad Heads Present
Statement to President
Defending Action.
EIGHT-HOUR DAY
HELD IMPRACTICABLE
Can Not Be Made to Apply to operat-
ing Departments Of Railroads With
out Reorganization Of System and
Revision Of Rates, Employers De-
eIare-HoId go Per Cont Of Railroad
Employees Not Involved.

Washington, Aug. 29.-Direct nego-
tiations between the railroad execu-
tives and employees thru President
wilson were practically closed today
when the executives refused to accede
to the proposal by the president and
presented to him a statement of their
position containing smother argument
for arbitration.
The committee of eight presented to
President Wilson a statement which
denies the fact that the judgment of
society favors an eight-hour day and
declares that arbitration is the only
proper way of settling disputes.
The suggestion Of the president that
an eight-.hour day be granted was re-
jected today by the executives.
Railroad Heads Define Position.
This statement to the public was is
sued by the committee of railroad
presidents:
We are unable after the most
earnest consideration to agree with
the. proposal of the president Of
the United States, which is that we
accept without arbitration the substi-
tuition of the eight t-hopr day with all
existing practices and agreements.
This is the main point in contro-
versy and, We can not surrender it
without opportunity to be heard in
some fair form of arbitration.
We do not assent to the statement
that the eight-hour day has the sane
ton Of society in its favor We be-
lieve that society has not yet recorded
its Judgment on this subject
Eight-hour Day Impracticable.
I'VE are not in this controversy
dealing with conditions relating to the
eight-hour day in the industrial world.
The difference; between the eight -hour
day in the business world and manu-
featuring interests and in the train
service has been fully explained. The
railroad day is a basis for computing
pay and overtime, the length Of daily
service being controlled by variable
conditions.
"The demands involved in this con-
troversy have not been presented In
our judgment for the purpose of fixing
definite daily period Of labor nor a
reduction in the existing hours of Ia
Dor or change in methods Of operation,
but for the real purpose Of accepting
an increase Of wages approximating
500, 100000 per annum, or 35 per cent
for the men in railroad freight train
and yard service presented by the labor
organizations in this matter.
Surrender Impossible.
after careful examina ton Of the
facts and patient and continuous con-
sultation with the conference commit
te and the managers and among our
selves we have reached clear un-
sderstandlng as to the ma gnitude Of the
question and the serioE sness Of the
controversy.
LAS trustees for the public served
by our lines and for ,b:. great mass
OF less powerful employees (not less
than so per cent Of the whole num-
ber) interested in the railroad wage
fund-as trustees also for the mill
lions Of people that have invested IN
the bonds and stocks Of these proper
ties, and who thru the savings banks,
trust companies and insurance conf
.ranies are vitality Interested, we can
not surrender without II hearing on
the principle involved"
Increase Of $4,000, 900 Annually.
The statement declares that the
eight-hour day without punitive. over
time involves an annual increase OF
$60,000,000 and an increase of 20 per
cent in the pay of men, already the
most highly paid In the transportation
service. Arbitration Of the question Is
insisted upon and counter proposal
provides, as basis of settlement, that.
effective Sept. 1. the companies will
keep the time Of the men on an eight
hour basis. separately, for the purpose
Of comparison.
6rothsrhoods Oppose Canadian Act.
The brotherhood heads, Garretson.
Stone, Lee and Carter, issued the fol-
lowing statement, explaining their OPP
position to any legislation along ths
plan Of the Canadian commission:
Since the abolition OF slavery no
more effectual means has been devised
for insuring the bondage OF the work :
ingman than the passage Of compul-
sorry Investigation Of the character Of
the Canadian Industrial disputes act"
the statement says.
b.