Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-08-24


! President Wilson Is known to fee
that the situation has improved and
hopes for q successful termination oI
the negotiations.
| Washington. Aug, 24.--"SInce mid.
night the situation has taken a
change for the worst" declared a
member OF the railway presidents
subcommittee before the sub
committee left for the White House
at their own request this afternoon.
to confer with President Wilson.
The situation is very serious" he
added.
The committee. r. 8. Lovett. OF the
Union Pacific. Daniel Willard, Of the
b. q o.. and Hale Holden. Of the
Burlington. expected to report the re-
suit OF their visit to the White House
to the entire number OF railway pre-.
sidents at 8 o'clock.
Everything now depends on this
visit to the White House." said one
OF the three. He would not discuss
what turn the negotiations had taken
to make the situation worse. The
executive in question Is one who has
heretofore talked optimistically con-
corning the prospects for adjustment.
Today's meeting at the White
House was first announced by Judge
Chambers, Of the federal board OF me.
diation and conciliation. It followed
a visit by him to the hall where the
brotherhoods' $40 representatives
were In session. There he conferred
with the four brotherhood presidents
and left them apparently in good
spirits.
Indications were today that the
railway presidents were trying to find
way out OF the situation on a basis
OF conceding the eight-hour day In
some form--but not In the form de-
manded by the brotherhoods and sup.
ported by President Wilson.
The meeting at the White House
lasted only ten minutes. Leaving the
White House. President Holden OF the
Burlington. spokesman OF the group
said:
"The situation is not any NOR,
hopeful than II has been"
SIS II hopeful at all?" he wal
asked.
II can not make, any statement al
to that" he replied. IAN I know 4
that as long as there Is something I,
work with ] am going to keep plug
ging away"
Contrary to the pessimism refiecte,
by some OF the railway presidents wa
the hopeful attitude OF President VII
son. In administration circles belle
is strong that things look bette
than they have at any certalnl
that there Is no danger OF an imms
date breaking Off OF negotiations.
While Holden said the conferenc
with Wilson was requested by him
self, II was stated at the White Hous
that Wilson had asked for the con
ference.
Effort OF the railway president
was concentrated today on the tas
OF putting the railroad brotherhood
on the defensive. To this end the
were declaring generally their will
ingness to grant the eight-hour da,
while showing that the concession
for which the brotherhoods are hold
ing out goes far beyond that.
Several words Of press statement
directed to this purpose were re
leased last night and today. They vii
concede, the railway presidents say
An eight-hour day for eight hours
pay at present rates.
Overtime at present rates, or arb
tration Of the overtime question.
They say they will not concede a
eight-hour day for which they mus
pay the same wage they now pay 10
a ten-honr day. II would mean a
increase OF 21 per cent In wages I
the brotherhoods, the railway execu
tives say
THE employees have not demande