The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-08-29

homes during the day snOuIo 0oL De
interpreted as an indication that the
men were breaking off the negoti :
tions or had abandoned hope Of set
tlement Many more would leave to-
morrow, the leaders said, but tie
heads and vice presidents of all the
brotherhoods would remain and would
have sufficient authority to deal with
any development.
1t was understood that the chief
reason for the exodus of labor. men
lay in the fact that they were anxious
to keep in closer touch with the un-
ions they represent, and want to make
sure Of their ground before taking
decisive step.
Saw Other Senators.
After President Wilson's conference
with Senators Newlands and Kern.
Senator NeWlands discussed the situa-
ton with Senators Robinson, Sauls-
bury, Lewis and other Democratic
members and Senator Cummins, Re-
publican member of the commerce
committee. Senator'S were reticent
but the whole situation is said have
been laid before the Democratic Sena-
tors just as it stands, for them TO
think it over, and, if possible, to find
some means of satisfying the demands
of the roads.
Senator Newlands said he had not
called a meeting of the commerce COM
mittee and did not know whether it
! would meet. 1t was regarded as
probable, however, that a meeting
might be held Monday.
Informal conferences of Democratic
members probably will be held dur
ing the next few days to deliberate on
the proposal. At any rate no imme-
diate Congressional action is antici-
pated and no one in authority would
state whether the railroad crisis
would operate to prevent adjourn
ment Of Congress next week.
Power Of Congress
Speaking of thesituat ion catego-
ricslly.S Senator Newlands said Con-
gress had power to direct the inter
state commerce commission to in
creas rates or to lower them. A sug'
gestion has been made, it was report
ed, that Congress might pass the
pending bill to increase the member
ship of the interstate commerce COM
mission from seven to nine and attacn
IT amendment expressing the sense
OF Congress that the railroads should
have an increase in freight rates II
they accept an eight-hour work day.
Such an expression by Congress
practically would amount to directing
the commission to grant an increase
Whether such action would satisfy
the railroads, Senator Newlands said
he had no idea.
GAS a matter of fact the law now
specifically states, said Senator New
Lands. that in fixing railroad rates
the interstate commerce commission
,nrst take into consideration all oper-
atine expenses" and an increase IN
wages attendant upon shortening o1
the railroad work day would amount
70 an increase in operating expenses "
Not Longer Than Monday.
REGARDLESS of the outcome of Presl-
dent Wilson's negotiations, it was IN
dicated tonight that few of the broth
erhood leaders probably would re-
main longer than Monday.
The heads of the four brothernooos
and their vice presidents, however
nrobablv will remain indefinitely If d
settlement is not reached soon. The
head Of each organization met Win
his vice president tonight and discuss
ed tentative plans for a strike. The
manner in which the federal Govern
ment has been injected into the STU
alton would make it almost lmpera-
tive. it is thought, that any strike De
directed from here.
Only Two Steps.
AS the brotherhood men saw the
situation tonight. only two steps
could prevent walk out. Those are
for the railroads to withdraw tnelr
insistence upon arbitration for all Oh
the demands of the men, or for the
Government to take over the rail-
roads for operation for the duration
90 tho strike Little confidence was