Bisbee daily review., 1916-08-23
Eight Presidents of Railroads Who Will Answer Presi- dents Plan Now Confering Upon Answer to Question.
BROTHERHOODS ARE
 GETTING ANXIOUS
Heads of Organizations Give Out Statements of Their Side of the Case-Cabinet Takes Matter Up.
(By Review Leased Wire)


 WASHINGTON. Aug. 22. - Eight presidents of important railway sys- tens, who have been designated to draft the railroads reply to Presient Wilson's appeal that they accept his plan for averting a nation wide strike. were in almost continuous session to- day and tonight without solving their problem.
 Late tonight three of the commit teemen, Hale Holden of the Burling- ton; R. s. Lovett of the Union Pacific and Daniel Willard of the Baltimore and Ohio. discussed the situation with President Wilson. They were at the White House for more than an hour and on leaving declined to talk about their visit further than to say they had asked for the conference to dis cuss the general situation" and ex- pected to see the President again.
 Although some of the sixty or more presidents are showing a disposition to prolOng the negotiations in the hope that the sentiment of business men of the country would be shown to be opposed to an eight hour day. there was a general feeling tonight that a definite answer to President Wilson's demand cannot be much longer postponed. The President is understood to have indicated that he desired his proposals to be fully de bated by the executives. but their con- ferences among themselves have fail ed so far to develop any concrete plan likely to win approval. So far as the presidents would discuss the situation tonight. they still are in sistent upon an. arbitration of the eight hour day and all other issues with the employees.
 As the conferees continued there was less talk of action which would lead to a strike. but some of the ex- ecutives are expected to fight to the last ditch any plan which would force an eight hour day upon the roads without some form of arbitration. It was said at the White House confer ence they did not develop any actual plan but that the three executives wished to get President Wilson's views on various phases of the mat ter so that they could be outlined to the rest of the commission tomorrow. The executives are to realize that Mir Wilson cannot recede from the posi- ton he has publicly taken and some of them are convinced now that about all they can hope for is to come out with some concessions.
 Among the more than 500 represen- tstives of railroad brOtherhOods in Washington there was evident feel ing of restlessness and there were many inquiries of leaders as to how long they must remain. It is not eX- pected that this feeling will lead to any open revolt unless the confer ences between President Wilson and the executives are prolonged. Some leaders told inquirers today that they would not have to stay in Washington more than IN hours
 The railroad executives. who are counting upon winning President Will son to their position in the negotia- tiOns say that the case after all is tO be decided by public opinion and that this will be found to support arbitra- tion and condemn the eight hour day.
 They made public tonight several telegrams from commercial organiza- tions throughout the country uphold ing arbitration for the settlement of labor disputes and opposing an eight hour day such as the employees desire.
 Discomfort over being held in Wash ington without prospect of prompt action by the railroad managers caus- ed some of the brotherhood men to protest today at one of their two meetings. W. c. Lee. head of the trainmen's brotherhood. silenced Ob- jections. however. by assuring the men that in his belief they would not
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