Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
President Drafts
 Settlement Plan
WILL SUBMIT IT TO MANAGERS
 AND EMPLoYEs TODAY
OUTLOOK IS BRIGHTER
General Committee of $40 Representa- tiVes Of the Various Brotherhoods Are in Washington.

Washington, Aug. 16. = President Wilson today completed a definite wide railroad strike and will
 submit it to representatives of the managers and employees tomorrow.
 The proposition framed by the pres ident following conferences with the managers and employees since Monday morning proposes that the railways should concede the eight hour work day, with an agreement that it will be observed. Later it probably will be proposed that a federal commission appointed by the president or created
 by congress investigate all problems which have arisen during the present
 discussion.
 Arbitration an Obstacle.
 The chief obstacles in the way of acceptance of the plan lie in the in SiStence of the railroad managers on
 arbitration and their opposition to an
 eight hour day, and in the demand of
 the employees for extra pay of time and
 a half for overtime.
 The general committee of the em- plOyes, including $40 representatives of
 the trainmen and enginemen on the
 225 railroad systems of the country,
 arrived here tonight in response to a
 summons by their sub committee which had been meeting with the pres ident The general committee has
 plenary powers to accept or reject any suggestion.
 The men, although refraining from
 discussion of the plan, said they thought the outlook encouraging for a settlement.
 Statement at p. m. Today. At o'clock tomOrro wafternOon the president will meet the entire general committee of $40 in the east room of l the White House and lay before them | his plan. He will accompany it with a statement appealing to their patriot ism and urging a compromise in the interests of the people of the nation. While no time has been set for a conference between the managers committee and the president, it is thought probable it will take place to- morrow morning. When MT Wilson sees the managers he will make virtu- | ally the same statement he will de- i liver to the employees, paying particular attention, however, to the points he 1 feels the managers should eoncede. Statistics Compiled by Experts. | The president completed his plan | during a conference today with Judge i William L. Chambers of the federal | board of mediation and cOnCiliation, l who took to the White House statistics compiled by experts showing the prob ! able cost to the railroads of the grant i ing of a basic eight hour da. Imme- diateIy afterward Judge Chambers l talked briefly with the managers com l mittee He did not confer with the | employees representatives.
 l No White House Meeting Yesterday. l The conference between the presi- 1 dent and Judge Chambers was the only formal meeting of the day in con- necticn with the situation. There was no White House conference with the
 managers and employees pending the | arrival of the brotherhOOds' general l committee from New York and the 1 drawing up Of definite plan by MT. l Wilson. The managers spent the day 1 in informal meetings and conferences at their hotel. The employees repre- | sentatives rested at their hotel The president is depending largely upon public opinion to force a settle
 ment Should the present method of l procedure seem about to fail, it was | thought probable today he would take | the public into his confidence.
 l Discussion of the creation of fed eraI commission to investigate the | railroad situation centered largely to- | day around the contention of railroad | officials that such a commission would be able to get at all the facts and ! prevent 8 recurrence of the present crisis