Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-29
WILSON PREPARED
To co To CONGRESS.
As A LAST RESORT
President Discusses With Par
ty Leaders Plan for Break
ing Deadlock Between Rail-
roads and Employees
Csy Associated PTess.)

(sy Associated PTsss.)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-President
wilson's plan for breaking the deadlock
between the railroads and their en-
ployes. a. discussed in conferences to-
day. was as follows:
An eight-hour law for railroads to be-
come effective at a date far enough in
the future 20 give the railroads oppor-
-tunity TO prepare for it.
law patterned after the Canadian
act which creates commission OF in
vestigation and prevents lockouts or
strikes while an Industrial dispute is
being investigated.
This plan was discussed by the presi-
dent with his party leaders in congress
as the basis for the next step after. the
railroad managers have formally an
nounced their refusal TO accept the plan
OF settlement the president previously
proposed They were expected TO DO this
al $3.50 O'Clock this afternoon at White
House conference
Meanwhile. congress leaders gave up
hope OF adjournment this week and pre-
Pared TO stay here as long as necessary
&c provide legislation to meet the strlAe
Senator Newlands and Commissioner
Chambers of the federal mediation
board. conferred today with Acting At
torney General Todd about the legisla-
tive porgram, but all denied that legal
measures for preventing strike hao
~ WILSON STILL HOPEFUL 4.
while the president has not finally
given up hope of bringing about an
agreement through direct negotiations,
ne IS continuing preparations for going
before congress with his plan for legis-
lation-
Tha president. IL was said today. has
repeatedly shown willingness 10 consent
10 auy plan which would include the
principle OF the eight-nour day and has
stood ready to submit 90 the railroad
empIoyes any plan suggested by the eX-
ecutfves which had a possibility OF &C
ceptance Up 70 the present the rail-
road executives have based their OBJ
fections TO the presidents plan on the
ground that the entire controversy
should be submitted to arbitration
II was understood today that propo-
sails of various forms have been pre-
scented 70 the railway executives through
the White House but that they have all
been met with the statement that the
railroads stood for arbitrating the whole
CONTROVERSY.
II all the engotiations fail. and the
president goes before congress prob
ably tomorrow or Wednesday, IL is said
he will reveal the details of all the nego-
tfatIOns and his plan for legislation.
The four brotherhood heads. while
they waited today for the next move
by the executives. sent President Wilson
letter explaining that the $50 repre-
sentatives had gone home and left twen-
ty-four men in charge with authority to
act.
A. A ,s,roct- .h;s affarDoor altar his
conference with the railway executives.
President Wilson plans TO go to the capt.
toI again TO confer with the Democratic
zteering committee OF senator's to dis
cuss the proposed Legislation
POSSIBLE LEGISLATION.
some Progressive Republican senators
believe that in the event Of a strike the
= president would ask congress TO direct
federal receiverships TO operate the rail-
roads. Probability of legislation for gov
eminent ownership was too remote TO be
considered I'm this crisis. they declared.
Compulsory arbitration they think
might be provided, but never would be
enforced.
House leaders have no program Chair
man Adamson. OF the commerce COM
u1ittee, said nothing was determined
upon. Republican Leader Mann, who
proposed last winter that congress au-
fhorize an investigation OF railroad
wages, is watching the situation closely.
The four brotherhood heads issued a
statement replying TO President Res, OF
the Pennsylvania. who last night made
an announcement that rather than give
up arbitration the roads preferred 10
face a strike. The statement charged
the Pennsylvania with inconsistency in
that two years ago il fought the efforts
Of its shOpmen 10 organize and arbi-
trate-
II also declared that as the controlling
interest in i've smaller roads IL has re-
fused them representation on the man.
ayers conference committee and that
ff arbitration were agreed upon IL would
not apply to their roads.
POSITION OF TRAINMEN.
W. G. Lee. head Of the trainmen. today
issued a statement declaring that the
brotherhoOds hsd no intention Of arbi-
ira ting the cight-hOur work day.
IT seems evident" the statement
said. from press reports this morning
that the railway companies represented
here are determined to force a strike
rather than accept the compromise set
Element offered by President Wilson.
The organizations refuse absolutely
10 arbitrate the question of an eight
hour day because We now have an eight
hour dav I'm effect on many OF the south
ern and southwestern roads and do not
propose TO arbitrate whether we shall
retain something that we have had for
Years and that we secured peacefully.
The railways former claim that our
request would cost s1OO. 100000 has been
split fifty-ffty and we are reminded Of
the statement that figures won't lie but
liars VIII figure
The railways know full well that the
eight-hour day as offered by President
Wilson would not cost $4,000, 600 per
annum il properly applied
ave are still the guests of President
Wilson and viii remain here"