New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-22


proposal has been made to establish
an eight-hour day.
"Tbc result Of the acceptance OF the
Presidents proposal would be;
Il. Absolutely no change IN the
length Of the work day.
80. An increase in wages y more
than S50.0OO.0O0 a year to about TOUR
fifths Of the train employees, OF, Tess
than one-seventh OF all the ralIro"u
employees.
"ln other words an unfair wage pref
erment would be granted without IN
vestigation and under threat of ma
tional strike TO one man IN seven IN
the railroad service
Arrivals this morning sweiled the
list Of railway executives called ny
President Wilson 10 about nifty. win
the execution Of several more VINO are
expected tomorrow, IL is probable that
no more will come. The whole group
went into meeting Immediately after
they arrived. ,.,.. H..
Word was sent to the White House
that the executives were ready 20 meet
the President and 2:30 this afternoon
was set for q conference. Inc morn
ing session was clOaked IN secrecy as
usual, but il was aScertalned that there
had been absolutely no change IN the
situation as far as the railroads were
concerned
Decide TO Stand Pat.
The discussion WAS general, but it
was conceded by all Of those present
AZ the time that the companies SIMPLY
had 10 stand pat They agreed tnat
they were right in their fight Tor arbl-
tration. and some went so far as 10 say
that the President had put his mead IN
a bear trap by trying TO please both
sides and still avoid calamity,
When the meeting adjourned, ior
lunch IL was stated by one OF the leaa-
in. railway presidents of the East;
I'VE are not going up there 10 argue
We are just going 10 listen
They did listen. and they heard the
President plead with them for nearly
half an hour. Nothing was said from
Inc other side of the room except what
was necessitated by the mere tormall-
ties Of introduction and leave taxing.
When the executives came out, hale
Holden. president Of the Chicago, Bur
lngton & Quincy, said;
"President Wilson merely explained
10 the men who had just come what ms
proposition was. We would not attempt
10 discuss il with them without their
getting from him his own understand
inc Of his proposal. Now we are gong
back 70 the hotel to think about 1t. we
said nothing When we shall see HIM
again don't know. but 1t may be To-
morrow. That is all can say
II was learned later. however, that
the President pleaded with them as ne
never did before. He pictured TO them
the conditions impending in this coun-
- crpc1freTou of frp Euro
mean war. He impressed upon them the
fact that il was a situation when every
ounce OF American energy and intuition
would be necessary 10 meet the condl-
tions growing out of the European
war" That war, he said, had taught
America that il could no longer remain
isolated and provincial; that by reason
of It's position in the affairs OF the
world eve must be ready 70 play our
role as one of the dominant influences
in the worlds affairs"
Plea for National Defence.
Tho President declared that the bust
ness and economical interests of the
country must be brought together into
one harmonious whole IN order that
the country might be able TO meet the
ayiCencies of new world conditions
ACCOmm OOdllOn anu duJNotl44NitN Va
these interests, he added, are necessary
parts Of the movement for adequate
national defence. For" NE said, "oui
great national resources could not be
made available or modified in this
emergency as a necessary part OF the
national defence" unless the railroads
are made serviceable instrumentali-
ties for supporting any plan of ma
tional preparedness.
Many of those who are familiar with
the progress Of the controversy saw
indications that the railroad executives
Oo not seem 20 be unanimous for re-
jectng the Presidents plan outright
The most potent reason would appear
TO be their decision tonight to enter
into a discussion of notifications of
the plan. II is extremely doubtful
however. whether this cOnciliatory
move will accomplish anything more
Chan the President has accomplished
thus far In this connection il must
be realized, that the four brothorhoods
have already accepted the Wilson pro-
posal, considering that in so doing