New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-29

Washington, but it is pretty generally
understood that when the executives
presented their counter proposal to the
President, rejecting his original set
Element plan, Mr.. Wilson was not
pleased. He is said TO have told the
executives before Hale Holden had time
TO finish reading the executives reply,
that the attitude taken by the roads
was not one that would lend itself TO
a peaceful adjustment of the contro-
versy.
One version of the affair had it that
the President was so dissatisfied with
the railroad stand that he threatened
to take legislative measures that
would leave them worse off than the
terms of his proposition.
The statement issued by the COM
mittee Of eight executives who went
to the White House with the long de-
layed counter proposal-the PROPOSE
ton which first brought the President
to n realization Of the fact that he
would have to go TO Congress to avert
a break-was indicative of the feeling
that enveloped the meeting with the
President. II contained a yelled hint
of the fact that they had told the Pres
ident they did not intend to remain idly
in Washington while their properties
were being menaced b. the working of
the strike machinery Of the four rail-
way brotherhoods.
Executives Statement Given Out.
This was their statement:
AT a conference at the White House
to-day at 2:30 between the President
and the committee of eight OF the rail-
road presidents a suggestion was laid
before the President in the nature of
proposition for progress toward solu
ton of the questions at issue, and this
was left with him for his consideration.
"The committee expects to see the
President in the near future, but before
leaving the committee pointed out to
him that if the reports that the date
for declaring the strike had been fixed
for September 4 we're true il would
force an early conclusion of the nego-
tions and compel the presidents to re-
turn to their properties to prepare for
the issue"
The President is understood TO have
made no definite reply to the commit
tee Of eight executives except to say
that he had measures under way that
he hoped would avert the calamity
Apparently he still stood by his dec
laration for an eight-hour day in train
service.
lie asked them to wait until the pro
gramme in mind matured but they told
him frankly that they would have to
have assurances that the strike order
issued yesterday would not be carried
out if they waited.
Prediction Is Confirmed.
A copy of the strike order obtained
! by The Tribune correspondent late this
afternoon confirms yesterdays informa-
/ tion that the tentative date for the
strike to become effective is Labor
Day, next Monday. The order states
that the employees of the four train
service bodies having voted over
whelmingly in favor Of strike if their
| demands for an eight-hour day and
time and a half overtime were not
granted and their representatives hav-
/ ing failed 10 effect satisfactory set
! Element:
"A strike under the laws Of the re-
spective organizations becomes eff
| fective September 4. 1916, at a. m.
"Impart this information, so that
/ those interested will understand that
they are TO promptly obey
The railway managers had several
copies of the orders this afternoon as
well as copies of the strike instructions
issued to the employees. Austin b. Gar
retson, head of the Order Of Railway
Conductors, was told tonight that The
/ Tribune had copies, but his reply was
Eyes, you have what purports to be a
copy. You have what the managers
gave out this afternoon. haven't you?
/ Wilson Was Undecided.
President Wilson's spectacular trip
/ to the Capitol in the rain last night to
consult with Senator Kern, Democratic
( leader, was indicative OF the frame of
I mind of the rest of the Administration
/ heads. 1t was said this morning that
when the President met Senator Kern,
Senator Newlands and Secretary Lane
10 discuss possible legislation to ward
of the rapidly nearing break, he was
absolutely undecided what to do and
called upon these advisers TO suggest
remedies for the situation.
Meets Steering Committee.
1t was precisely o'clock when the
President reached the Senate office
building this afternoon and went 70
Senator Kern's Office, where the other
members of the steering committee lad
assembled They were Senators Mar
tin, Chamberlain, Owen, O'Gorman,
Thomas, Reed, James and Williams.
The discussion lasted until about $3.50.
The measures mentioned previously
were all taken up. Two drafts of pro-
srammes had been passed around the
Senate during the early afternoon, but
the whole programme is one. IL con-
tains all that Congress might do imme-
distely to prevent the strike or handle
1T if IT breaks.
How long before Congress will ad-
journ if you put through all the Presi-
dent wants. Senator Thomas was
asked after the meeting.
"0h. about December l." he replied.
Progressiyes are Opposed.
Senator Thomas's prophecy would
not seem to be so far astray if the at
titude of some of the progressive Re
publican Senators remains what It Is
to-day. There is a small but strong
minority unalterably opposed 10 an in
crease of the Interstate Commerce
Commission membership because they
remember that the President appointed
two men two years ago on the strength
of the favor Of . per cent rate in
crease. They think now. that If the