Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-18
BROTHERHOOD HAS
PLAN Of WILSON
TO SETTLE STRIKE
Proposition Is Taken Under
Consideration and Ad-
journment Had Until
Today.
LABOR LEADERS MUM
Presidents Of the Railroads
Invited to Washington to
Take Part. ..a. a.
- "a - Sd
SECRET MEETING HELD.
SECRET MEETING HELD,

w dsninBtoH, aug. H. ne Geil-
eral committee OF the Brotherhoods.
after considering President Wilson's
proposal for more than an hour, adj
journed without taking vote on it.
They will meet again at 9 O'clock
tomorrow morning. slIi.,
Although the labor leaders declined
to talk about the prospect, il was
understood no serious objection was
raised to the presidents plan in the
meeting. ''-" . = '--
Wilson outlined to the general
committee of railroad employees his
plan for settlement of the threatened
general strike based on acceptance
Of an eigh,.hour working day and
creation OF a commission by congress
and the president to investigate the
working Of the eight-hour day and
collateral issues.
Men Hold Secret Meeting.
The $40 men held secret meeting
lasting a little more than an hour,
then marched in a body to the White
House. The day was hot and the
men, many Of them stripping off their
coats, took the shady side, Of Pennsxl-
vania avenue. They made quite i
column as they marched along to the
Treasury building, where they assem-
bled in a military order, and then
proceeded to the White House, where
they went to the East room
Just at 4 o'clock the brotherhood
Representatives finished their confer
ence with the president and went to
their hall to vote on the presidents
plan.
The employees heard the presidents
plan without demonstration and said
they would send word TO the White
House as soon as possible as to their,
decision! .8f3 a.G4ss,s
( After the meeting Alb. Garretson.
refused TO comment and declared the
decision oi the men would be given
out at the. White House, if at MI. @
pfssident Does Talking.
; The, president aid most Of the
talking At The meeting, explaining his
plan In 3detail and urging that it be
accepted for the good Of the country.
Afterward Mr.. Garretson and wv. s.
Stone Of the engineers spoke briefly.
Al the conclusion Of the discussion
all Of the men fell in line and shook
hands with the presidet1 befofe leav-
ing. 'r l,s S,y
The Eight-hour Day
Administration officials were Unable
to determine by the attitude of the
men as they heard the plan whether
they would accept it, but there was
a general expectation that at least its
principle would be agreed to. The
same plan will be presented to the
presidents of the railroads tomorrow.
II was understood that under the
presidents plan the eight-hour day
would 20 into effect pending the out
come OF the investigation. The COM
mission would be q small one, practi-
cally composed Of three members, and
would have authority to summon wit
nesses and determine all OF the facts
on the cost of the railroads of the
eight.hour day.
Under the presidents plan the
double compensation proposition
would be eliminated. The eight-hour
day would carry ten hours pay at the
present rate.
".The presidents proposition" said
one OF the brotherhood leaders, "is
fair and square, and the men would
be fools not to accept it"
Presidents Invited.
The president sent the following
telegram to the leading railroad presi-
dents:
Discussion OF the matters involved
in the threatened railroad strike has
reached a point which makes it highly
desirable that should personally
confer with you at the earliest pos
sible moment, and with the presidents
OF any other railways affected, who
may be Immediately accessible. Hope
you can make it convenient to conc
to Washington at once"
The presidents action in asking for
the conference with railroad presi-
dents themselves is interpreted as
meaning that the managers commit
tee had refused finally to ,concede
the eight-hour day, as the presidents
plan proposed, and the question now
Is to be taken up with the heads Of
the railroads themselves. s.s
The situation as it stood today was
this:
The railroads flatly refuse to ctif.