New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-17
Unions Expected to
Accept-Managers
Balk.
SCHEME CALLS
FOR COMMISSION
Commerce Board to Act on
Its Report-Wilson Seeks
Middle Ground.
[rrom stat Correspondent Of The rtibunel

lFrom STAT Correspondent Of The rtibune.l
Washington, Aug. 16.--President
Wilson is prepared for a final show
down tomorrow with the employees
and managers of the railroads. A
definite plan of settlement, evolved
from the conferences of the last
three days, will be submitted to both
sides. The unions probably will ac-
cept it. The railroad managers un-
doubtedly will object. 1t seems like
ly tonight that unless the President
can force them, they will refuse it.
Three times since the conference
committee of managers came to
Washington has their vote in secret
meetings been unanimous against
the principal features Of the pro-
jected plan. Realizing that their
backs are against the wall, they are
uStcIuiiicu W iuoioI oi dtui"f abioii..
The stakes are SO high they may
even defy the President and take
their chances with the public.
The President has fortified himself
against that stand. At his request,
the 500 union delegates Of the four
great railway brotherhoods were
brought to Washington tonight on
two special trains. The President
intends to present his plan to the
whole body and let them take it or
leave it. Their acceptance, however,
is contingent on the action of the
managers. But if the settlement is
rejected by either, President Wilson
will put the blame on the blocking
side in a statement to the people
setting forth the situation.
Presidents Peace Plan.
The terms of the proposed settle
ment, as forecast in The Tribune this
morning, are these:
An eight-hour day for the engi-
neers, fremen, conductors and train
men, on the present basis of ten
hour pay.
Overtime to be paid pro rata as at
present.
The employees to waive for the
present their demand for punitive
time-and-a-haf pay for overtime.
The railroads to discard their
counter proposals.
Provision to be made to prevent
the railroads from escaping the
eight-hour day in operation.
A special commission to be ap-
pointed to consider the whole con-
troversy.
This commission TO report es-
pecially on two questions: Whether
it is necessary 20 have punitive over
time to guarantee to the men an ac-
tual eight-hour day, as they main
tain, and whether the cost 10 the
railroads of the eight-hour schedules
will be, as the roads contend, $780,
100000.
The commissions report to be the
basis for probable rate increases by
the Interstate Commerce Commits
President on the question Of rate in
creases to be predicated on the spe-
cial commissions verdict.
1t will be readily seen that in this
proposal President Wilson has taken
middle ground, although the eight
hour day provision is victory for the
employees IL is also apparent that after
the commissions report, which will not
be binding except as it may have pub
lie opinion behind il, the whole con-
troversy may be opened again.
President Not Optimistic.
The President is not optimistic about
the reception of his plan. He realizes
the unions are with him because the
men, who say they want only the bet
ter working and living conditions
which the eight-hour day means, would
get substantially what they ask. He
also knows the greatest concessions
are demanded from the railroad mana
gers and therefore almost the entire
weight Of his endeavors has been
directed toward breaking down their
objections.
The union men feel they are not
yielding anything by agreeing 70 the
terms Of the plan. They are just as
determined as they ever were and just
as ready 10 fight. In fact, il would not
be distasteful TO them 10 face the issue
squarely, call the threatened strike and
take their chance of winning. The rail-
road managers feel that II they yield
without a struggle. il is financial sui
| eide but IL they are forced 20 meet q
strike. they think they may have at
least a chance OF winning.
Arbitration at Stake.
The cardinal point in the contentious
of the railroad managers against the
Presidents proposed settlement is that
! the principle Of arbitration is at stake.
/ The railroads have insisted the proper
way to dispose Of the controversy is
BY arbitration. They maintain even
such an agreement is a big concession
from the railroads.
The railroads have suggested TO the
President they would be willing hs