Evening star., 1916-08-23
CONFERS
W|THCONCRESSMEN
ON NRA|LWAY STRIKE
Heads of Commerce Commit.
tees Called to White
House.
ACTION CONSIDERED
OF GREAT IMPORT
Creation of Commission to Handle
Industrial Disputes
Mentioned.
AGREEMENT UNDER WAY
Mr.. Wilson and Railroad Executives
Reported Nearer Settlement.
Employees Committeeman
Restive Under Delay.

President Wilson held a confer
ence this morning with Senator
Newlands and Representative
Adamson, chairmen, respectively,
of the Senate and House COM
merce' committees, whom he
called to the White House rela-
tive to the threatened railroad
strike. This conference, following
so quickly upon the night confer
ence of the subcommittee of rail-
road presidents at the White
House seeking some understand
ing as to what would be coming
to them in the way of increased
rates if they should agree, at the
Presidents solicitation, to accept
the eight-hour day entailing some.
thing like S5o,ooo,ooo additional
operating expense, was considered
portentous.
II they can get assurance Of adminis-
trative recognition Of arbitration for the
settlement OF all future industrial dis
putes. and some satisfactory offset for the
additional cost entailed, it was admitted
hry
they might and probably would accept
the eight-hour day.
While they are in long sessions schem-
ing how they can drive the best possible
bargain in this matter with the govern
ment. the big committee of $40 general
chairmen representing the employees il
growing very restive. In a restless meet
ing today the belief was expressed that
the railroad chiefs are only playing for
time. The brotherhood leaders let 1t be
known that they fear they will be unable
to hold the men in check much longer
and the statement is made that they arc
ready to call a strike the moment the
reject the Presidents proposal
for settling the strike,
Specific Legislation Not Discussed.
After their conference with President
Wilson, Senator Newlands and Repre-
sentative Adamson said they had dis
cussed the strike controversy generally.
but that no legislation to meet the situa-
ton had been gone over specifically. The
bill adding two members to the interstate
commerce commission, which has already
passed the House and which will come be-
fore the Senate Friday, was one OF the
measures discussed.
Senator Newlands said after a confer.
ence that he would press his bill to tn-
crease the interstate commerce commits
sion from seven to nine members and to
divide the commission into groups as soon
as the revenue bill is passed.
1.-The President is very desirous that
the bill be passed." said Senator New.
lands. land l shall urge it next week.:
Beyond saying that they approved the
Presidents course in handling the railroad
situation and that they were ready to
push any legislation needed, Senator New
lands and Representative Adamson would
not discuss their conference.
Permanent Commission Discussed.
II was understood, however, that the
creation of a permanent commission to
investigate such controversies was one
Of the subjects mentioned.
Some of the railroad officials have
taken the position that If such COM
mission were created and railroad en-
ployes prevented from striking until
an investigation is complete, they
might accept the eight-hour day.
The calling of the commerce committee
chairmen to the White House ana tne as
surance given by Senator Newlands that
,e will push his bill for a large commits
sion are believed to indicate that move
nent is developing for sending the con.
fI,0 int ,fofA f~<nVvH
nerce commission for investigation.
Possibility of passing an eight-hour law
or railroads was discussed today among
several congressional leaders, but no dem
Mite program was evolved and 1t was
Understood that no action in this direc.
ion would be taken unless the Presi.
lents efforts failed.
President Wilson plans to see Senator
Newlands and Representative Adamson
a gain, probably late today, and expects
10 receive another call from the commit
tes of the railroad executives some time
before tomorrow.
IT was understood definitely today
that the railroad executives had do
,ided to act as unit in handling the
present situation. For time yester-
Law it appeared possible that a de-
,ision might be reached for each road
,r system to act Independently.
Program of Railway Heads.
The program of the railroad execu.
ives, as understood today. was to
leal first with the principle Of arbi-
ration and afterward with the eight.
lour day.
II means can be found for guaran.
eeing arbitration in future disputes
Il least some of the railroad executives
re understood to favor aoquiescencs
With the eight-hour day demand.
fnfc OF rfP
vas declared that both the President
nd the railroad executives seemed 70
70 ON the way to an agreement.
Report to Committee.
Three railroad presidents fpday rs-