New Britain herald., 1916-08-28
Employees Committee h. StruCtGd Not to Listen To Proposals Involving Arbitration Program
JOINT SESSION OF
 CONGRESS PROBABLE

JUN OLoOIO1< OE
 CONGRESS PROBABLE Adoption of Legislation Similar to
 That in Effect in Canada Would
 Prevent Strike or LoclkOut-ROads
 May Be Conducted by Federal Re
 ceiyership Until Disputing Factions Can Reach Agreement.
 Washington, Aug 2S.-President Wilson's negotiations for averting the threatened nationwide railway strike are in the last stage with a break or q settlement apparently not far off.
 With the railway executives stand , ing firm against conceding the eight hour day and the brotherhood leaders still standing out against arbltrating il, the hope of preventing a ue-up or the country's transportation systems seemed to lie with congress.
 Just exactly what can be done none of the congressional leaders them selves seems CO kIOW. SOuAGlSllCeS among them and with President Will son which began last night were con- tinued today, and the president post 7 poned his engagement with the rail- way executives from 10 o'clock this morning until 2:3O o'clock this after room to give him more time for con- ferences with leaders in congress.
 The situation was viewed on all sides as the most perilous since the negotiations began two weeks ago. The hope of the president and ad- 1 ninistration leaders was in the poss1- | 'bility of getting the brotherhood men to give more time to continue the ne- gotiations.
 A Joint session of congress to hear the presidents statement of the situa- ton was in prospect, following Mr. | Wilson's visit to the capitol last night to confer with Senator Kern, the ma jority leader. 5~ Arbitration Forbidden Topic.
 The course of the brotherhoods was in the hands of a committee or twenty-four, whom the entire com mittee of GAO, before leaving for their homes yesterday, instructed to listen to no proposal involving arbitration of the eight hour basic day. Strike Borders were being circulated, to await telegraphic release.
 The counter proposal for arbitra- ton was to be made to the president today by the railway executives as their first definite answer to his sug- gestion of a week ago for concession of the eight hour day with ten hours pay and arbitration of other issues. . As soon as the employees committee ARas rejected the executives counter proposal the president Is expected to set In motion the CongressiO Onal wheels through the leaders In both houses.
 To this end, Senator Newlands, chairman of the interstate commerce committee, and Secretary Lane, after extended conferences with the Presi- dent worked through a great part of "last night framing bills affecting the railroad situation.
 May Adopt Canadian Plan.
 It was reported the president was considering asking both sides to post pOne action for a certain period. Meanwhile 1t might be possible to en- act legislation similar to the Canadian law, providing for investigation of s~labor disputes by a commission and forbidding strikes or lockouts pending inquiry. This course was being dis cussed seriously, with the possibility that 1t would be put into immediate effect, thus preventing a strike with out adequate public investigation.
 President Wilson early today sent word to the committee of eight rail- road executives who will formally <present the railroads counter pro- posals, that he would receive them at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon instead of 10 o'clock this morning. This was determined upon in order that the President might hold further confer ences on legislation on the strike Situ Ation for presentation to congress.
 The four brotherhood heads issued of the Pennsylvania, who last night made an announcement that rather than give up arbitration the roads preferred to face a strike. The state ment charged the Pennsylvania with Inconsistency in that two years ago 1t fought the efforts of it's ShOpmen to organize and arbitrate. It also de- cIared that as the controlling interest . M five smaller roads it has refused Hpthem representation on the managers conference committee and that if arbi- tration were agreed upon it would not apply to these roads.
 Resigned to remaining in Washing ton to undertake any legislation in the railroad crisis members of con- gross today were studying the problem