New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-23


make the best of bad situation.
They wanted to talk trades with
President Wilson, and if possible Sc
cure concessions. legislative or other
wise. to compensate for the losses
they will sustain under new operat-
ing schedules.
The reply expected to-day was
this:
The railroads would tell President
Wilson what they consider a fair
proposition. They would make GER
tain concrete proposals which would
provide against a recurrence OF the
present situation that they believe a
menace not only TO the welfare of
the country's transportation systems
but to other industries as well. They
would suggest that the commission
proposed by the President make a
thorough study of the merits Of their
side so that they might be assured Of
a way of compenSating for the loss
of S5O.OOO,OOO entailed by an accept
ance of the eight hour basic pay day.
Wilson Cannot Promise.
The executives know that the
President cannot make any specific
promise of a rate increase from the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
What the roads want is some definite
assurance that will practically guar
antee such an increase. 1t may be
proposed in this connection that the
President try TO pass through Con-
gross some legislation that would
give them such a guarantee.
At the same time none Of the execu-
tives is SO confident Of his ground that
he believes the President will consent
to much further delay. All know that
whatever they intend TO do they must
do it quickly or suffer perhaps worse
than ever. President Wilson told them
Yesterday that he would not act as
mediator between them and the rail-
road employees; that they must decide
10 accent mis- plan substantially as II
is or leave it and face the verdict from
the great American jury-the puolic
and its opinion.
When the committee of executives
adjourned their morning session.
shortly after noon, it was expected
that they would have preliminary
report to the entire group Of eHecu-
tives tonight. The newspaper CORE
snondents were informed that state
ment would be issued by the preSl-
dents before o'clock 1t was an
nounced at that hour that certain
changes had 10 be made which would
DELAY IL until S. Eight o'clock passed
without it. and finally a little aIter
o'clock came the announcement that
the statement would not be mace at
ali. but that about midnight or shortly
before there would be "a big piece OF
news"
Railroads Yield, Is Report.
Immediately every one surmised that
tho railroads had decided that iurlheI
opnosition was futile, but none eouia
he found 10 substantlate TINS opinion
In Wa then learned that some Oh tHe
executives had taken the bit In thelr
teotb and run off with il. There was
scurrying OF publicity men 10 Hhu ou'
what was what and where IL was
Wssbingto mad buzzed with rumors
ali dav that the railroads had already
canituiased. Added to these reports
came the Stock Exchange quotations
showing that many of the railroads and
oIlied stocks had advanced two or three
points. r .;oh+
oas in session at the Metropolitan CluD
most Of last night. When they quiz
tired and perspinng, early TINS morn
ING a peaceful settlement OF the con-
troversv seemed more hopeful than
ever. But apparently nothing DEFINITE
rad been decided. They had gone into
tbe meeting with a thousand and one
surqestions and methods Of settlement
ogered nv the other executives ana
D,ansgers Yesterday. Some of the
roads we're for surrendering. 1t was
ycnorted that Daniel Willard, president
Of the Baltimore & Ohio, and FAIRFAX
Harrison. of the Southern, led the III
son forces In the' cohlihlN'Se'
Looking for Concessions.
There was no doubt, however, that
the roads intended to try TO secure
emo material concessions. They want
- no freed from future predicaments
like this They let it be known that
they would not yield unless some on
setting advantages were forthcoming
and most of the discussion was con-
cerned with the best way to get these
compen sations. What the roads desire
most of all in the way Of promises OIL
tbis kind is Congressional action that
will reduce some of the roads expenses
and nifty the control of railroad
operation.
After the smaller committee had re-
norted briefly to all the executives ana
managers early to-day this statement
was issued: a.
"Mr. Hale Holden, president of the
Burlington, as spokesman OF the ran
road executives who are conierrlhg
with President Wilson on the railroad
wage problem, announced TINS morn
ing that committee from the three
score executives now in Washington
has been named for the general con-
sideration of the questions involved.
"The members Of the committee are
Hale Holden, Of the Burlington &
Quincy; w. w. Atterbury, Pennsyl-
yania; Fairfax Harrison, southern, K.
S. Lovett, Union Pacific; Z. P. Ripley,
Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe; Alfred
u. Smith, New York Central; Frank
Trumbull. Chesapeake & Ohio; Daniel
Willard, Baltimore a. Ohio.
"The committee is in continuous ses-
sion considering the situation and 1t IS
understood that no conclusion has yet
been reached