Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-22
WILSON RENEWS
HIS DEMANDS ON
RAIL PRESIDENTS
President Insists That His Plan
for Settlement of Wage
Controversy be Accepted
by Roads.
WORK ON COUNTER OFFER
Employers Expect to Have
Proposition Ready to Sub
init to Employees Tuesday.
MEN HOLD SHORT SESSION
WORK ON COUNTER OFFER
MEN HOLD SHORT SESSION

Washington, Aug. 2.-When the
railroad executives left the White
House this afternoon after their con-
ference with President Wilson, Mr..
Holden. their spokesman. said there
was no change in the situation, but
that the executives would go into. ses.
sion in an effort to reach decision.
I'VE are now ready to get down to
brass tacks,' said one Of, the railroad
presidents. "Up to the present time
our discussions have been informal
entirely, but from now on, we will
make determined efforts to reach a
decision.
President Wilson in his address
reiterated his previous argument by
pointing out that other railroads play
All important part in the military pre-
paredness of the country. and that as
they are a vital part of the industrial
framework Of the nation, it was abso-
lutely necessary to keep them running
at the present time.
Mr.. Wilson told the railroad ex-
ecutives he did not blame them for
fighting for the principle of arbitra-
ton, but that he believed under pres
ent circumstances they should accept
the cight-hour day and leave the
working out OF the principle of arbi-
tration until later.
The railroad executives did net en-
ter into an argument with the presi-
dent. but afterward said they were
deeply impressed and would give full
weight to his argument at their con-
ferences.
The president declared he agreed
with them in believing in arbitration
OF industrial disputes, but that in
view of the railroad employees re-
fusal to accept arbitration it was i'm
practical to discuss the issue 1T pres
ent. He urged the railroad execu-
tives and their managers in their
meetings to consider the disaster
which would follow a strike.
With all the world depending in
measure upon the products of the
| United States, he said, it would be
catastrophe for the railway systems
] OF this country to be tied up. He
said that in working for preparedness
In the United States, the work Of the
railroads had played an important
part in his considerations. and that
all Of the plans OF the government
for preparedessn would be thrown
away. On that ground he appealed to
the patriotism of the employers.
Washington, Aug. 21.-President
| Wilson today reiterated to the rail
road executives, including the new
arrivals from the west, his demand
that they accept his plan for the set
| tlement of the threatened railroad
strike. The executives then began
the first of a series of meetings in
which they will frame their reply.
As the railroad presidents entered
the White House, Hale Holden, their
spokesman, said the executives al
ready here had sought to maintain
open minds on the entire question, but
that after President Wilson had ex-
planned his plan thoroughly to the
new arrivals, consideration Of all
questions involved would be begun
with the object of reaching final de-
cision.
Will Make Counter Proposition.
The railroad heads spent several
hours today trying to devise some
form OF settlement of the threatened
strike which would still preserve the
principle Of arbitration apd be one
which President Wilson could prevail
upon the men to accept.
One Of the suggestions the presi-
dents were prepared to make at the
White House was for legislation to
create a board to investigate when
trouble threatened between railroad
employers and employees. The board
would be created by act Of congress.
Pending its investigation, the EN-
ployes would not be permitted to
strike or take strike vote. After
the board had reached its, conclusions
from the facts, a public report would
be made and there would be opportu-
nifty for arbitration, but it would not
be compulsory. If arbitration was
refused the men would vote directly
on the question of strike.
1t was understood the railroad
executives were not yet ready to pre-
sent their final answer today to the
president on his plan. The confer
|