The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-23
Committee of Eight Holds
Almost Continuous SEES
sion Throughout Day
Drafting Reply
THEY HAVE HOPE OF
GAINING CONCESSION
BY MUCH DELAYING
Long Conference Is Held at the White
House, But Nothing Is Given Out
as to Result-Employes Are
Getting Restless

Washington, August 22-Eight pres
idents of important railway systems
who have been designated to draft the
railroads reply to President Wilson's
appeal that they accept his plan for
averting a nationwide strike, were in
almost continuous session today and
tonight, without solving their problem.
Late tonight three of the committee
men, Hale Holden of the Burlington;
r. S. Lovett of the Union Pacific and
Daniel Willard of the Baltimore and
Ohio, discussed the situation with the
President. They were at the White
House for more than an hour and on
leaving declined to talk about their
visit further than to say they had
asked for the conference to discuss
the general situation and expected
to see the President again.
Although some so or more presidents
are showing a disposition to prolong
the negotiation in the hope that the
sentiment of business men of the coun-
try will be shown opposed to the idea
of an eight-hour day, there was gem
eral feeling tonight that a definite
answer to President Wilson's demand
cannot be much longer postponed The
President is understood to have indi-
Gated that he desired his proposal to
be fully debated by the executives.
but their conferences among them
selves have failed so for to develop
any concrete plan likely to win APP
prevail.
STILL WANT ARBITRATION
So far as the presidents would dis
. cuss the situation tonight, they still
| are insistent upon an arbitration or
| the eight-hour day and all other issues
with the employees. AS the conferences
| continued there was less talk of ac-
| ton which would lead to a strike but
some of the executives are expected
to fight to the last ditch any plan
which would force an eight-hour day
| upon the roads without some form or
arbitration.
1t was understood the White House
conference tonight did not develop any
| actual plan; but that the three execu-
| tives wished to get President Will
| sons views on various phases of the
| matter so that they could be outlined
| to the rest of the committee tomor-
| row. The executives are said to real
ze that Mr.. Wilson cannot recede from
| the position he has taken, and some
of them are convinced now that about
all they can hope for is to come out
with some concessions.
| Among the more than 600 represen-
tatives of the railroad brotherhoods in
| Washington, there was evident today
| feeling of restlessness and there
were many inquiries of leaders as to
how long they must remain. 1t is not
expected that this feeling will lead to
| any open revolt unless the conferences
! between President Wilson and the ex-
| ecutives are prolonged. Some of the
| leaders told inquirers today that they
would not have to stay in Washington
| more than As hours
PUBLIC TO DECIDE
| The railroad executives who are
! counting upon winning the President
| to their position in the negotiations
! say that the case after all is to be
| decided by public opinion and that this
will be found to support arbitration
and condemn the eight-hour day They
made public tonight several kilograms
| from commercial organizations
| throughout the country upholding ar
bitration for the settlement of labor
disputes and opposing an eight-hour
| day such as the employees desire
i The cabinet discussed the situation
| CONTINUED Pace TenN