Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-25
RAIL PRESIDENTS
|. PROPOSITION IS
GIVEN EMPLOYEES
Eight Hour Day Proposal Ac-
cepted With Conditions
About Eigher Freight
Rates.
ALSO ASK COMMISSION
Brotherhood Officials Seem to
BE Pleased With Conces.
sions offered.
END SEEMS TO BE IN SIGHT
ALSO ASK COMMISSION
BULLETIN.

bOL OLLIS I'm.
Washington, Aug. 24.-After an ex-
tended session with the railroad pres
idcnts and the managers conference
committee, the committee OF eight ad-
journed until tomorrow without agree
ing upon any action.
Washington, Aug. 24.-After con-
siaucd conferences today between
President Wilson and the select COM
Hiittee OF railroad executives, the con-
ditions surrounding the threatened
strike were understood to have mar
rowed down to the following:
The railroad presidents, at least the
select committee of eight, are willing
to accept the eight-hour day insisted
upon by President Wilson and the
trainmen. .-... -
In return they asked that they be
assured as fully as possible that all
proper support be given and proper
means be used to assure them a
freight rate increase from the Inter-
state Commerce commission.
They ask also that congress create
a permanent board or commission,
similar to the Canadian commission,
to handle future labor difficulties. A
commission Of this character would be
empowered to investigate when labor
troubles threaten and no strike could
be called or strike vote taken pending
its investigation, full report Of which
would be made public at its con-
clusion.
At the end of the investigation, ar
bitration would be suggested, but II
not accepted, opportunity would be
given to the men to take strike vote.
The balloting would be secret.
Wilson is Sympathetic.
President Wilson is understood to
feel some sympathy for the counter
demands of the railroads and not
averse to having the men accept them.
II Is expected, however, that vote
Of the. go Labor representatives here
must be taken before they can re-
ceive the necessary Endorsement.
These proposals were communi-
Gated today by Commissioner Cham
bers OF the federal board OF mediation
TO the representatives OF the men, who
apparently. regarded them favorably.
Judge Chambers then reported to
President Wilson and subcommit-
tee of railroad executives was sum-
moned to the White House.
After the conference it was said
the outlook was more hopeful, if any
The president sent for the exeeu-
tives to acquaint them with the prog
ress being made by him in dealing
with the problems suggested at pre-
vious conferences.
Employees Seem Pleased.
Commissioner Chambers Of the fed
eral mediation board, after conferring
with President Wilson. carried mes
sage to the brotherhood leaders. It
was. supposed to be some form of
proposal made to President Wilson
last night by the subcommittee of
railway executives.
1t was kept secret, but A. B. Gar
retson, spokesman for the employees,
voiced the opinion of all. when he said
it certainly was not depressing"
Other leaders indicated it was very
satisfactory.
The executives met and heard the
report of the subcommittee, which has
been working on a counter proposal,
and there were indications that Presi-
dent Wilson expected an answer to-
day or. at the latest, tomorrow.
Signs of unrest among the men, so
apparent yesterday, disappeared today
and there were renewed indications
that the railroads would agree on
some proposal to include the eight
hour day in manner satisfactory to
the employees committee, and then
bring about deep investigation of all
the collateral issues.