The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-24

Warrington, Aug 2s.--Presiden;
Wilson turned to Congress today for
as1pport in hts'demaBd for an eight
hour dag as an equitable means OF
ayer;jns strike that would nc dis
aafrous to me nation.
sle was l9forIed by the 'eaders az
the two powerful committees created
80 deaf Win matters relating to inter
s-afe commerce that Congress has
enao4tl>fea power Co pass ST. eight
hour law.
fh.s g accepted az indicating that
r the railway executives impose ina
possible counter demands before
Y Gliding they viii face legislation
watch viii make ii compulsory.
Opinion prevails that the railway
execu.ives will ultimately cap}tUlsfe.
The plan which they presented AT the
L last White House conference. how
Fever, is Se.a 10 have eNacted guarnn-
tees SO numerous and varied as 10
const. tute n serious stumbling block
Wanted Positive ASSURANCES.
They wanted positive assurances
that frcjgh. rates would be increased
at least five per cent 10 meet the add
ed burden IN wages estimated by their
s;atsticians Assurances were asked
that legislation would be enacted to
prevent a similar crisis.
Tho President remained Arm. He
is understood TO have made no
promise other than that he would
urge the passage OF the bill now In
the Senate by which the Interstate
Commerce Commission would be in
creased from seven 20 nine mem hers
The Importance OF the Presidents
suggestion lies In It's possible applica-
ton 10 the long standing claim OF
the railroads that the government
commission which passes on rates
ought also to be empowered TO sit
in judgment on the demands Of en-
pioyes for higher wages and shorter
hours.
Following his last conference with
the representatives. Of the railway ex-
ecutsves President Wilson sent today
for Chairman Newland. of the Senate
Committee on Interstate Commerce.
and Chairman Adamson, or the House
Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce.
Believe President Ia Right.
Al the conclusion of the conference
Chairman Adamson said:
The Preddent talked very frankly
with Us He reviewed all that had
trAnspircd betwcen tho White House
ana the railway executives MP to the
! present. We believe he Is right In
his demand for the eigtt-hour day.
AOuSI SnH uA0 PkCuaIy powers TO
deal With all questions relating to m
terst&te commerce. II has undcne.ed
power 20 pas an etght-hour dav law
Also II may enact any other measure
BY way Of regulating commerce
II have not considered any con-
crete proposition ana viii not take
| the question up until we are convinced
the President has rafied To settle the
strike. | believe from the knowledge
Of tho situation obtained today the
President will gain his point
Senator Newlands made no state
mert other than that he had agreed
70 urge the bill in the Senate to in
crease the membership Of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission immedi-
ately.
While the executives are killing
time in an effort to drive a bargain
| with the President the members Of
. the brotherhoods are growing Inn
patient Strike talk broke out among
. them today. Thomas Donovan, the
. Boston-Albany chairman. proposed at
1 morning meeting that tho chAirmen
. four brotherhood heads here to ar
-ar~e an Immediate strike.
Cooler heads finally prevailed. but
/ Il IL evident that the brotherhoods are
IN a dangerous frame of mind
The meeting Of the presidents and
managers called for 8 o'clock was held
and . recess taken until II O'Clock
| tomosrow morning. Hale Holden, Of
| the Burlington, made this statement:
The railway executives who have
| met here AZ tho request Of President
. Wilson ara proceeding a. rapidly as
practicable with their work II must
s. Understood. however. that the
psohloms with which these men arc
wrestling are the most important ever