The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-16
COMMITTEE OF
GOA TO CONFER
WITH PRESIDENT
Labor Union Delegates Go
From n. Y. to Washington.
Talk of L. 5. Forming Perma-
nent Arbitration Board.
MAY TRY PLAN SIX MONTHS
To Include S-HOur Day and
Present Pay Overtime.
President Fails to Cement
Breach in Railroad Crisis.
CONFERENCE OFF FOR TODAY
Hone Turns to Managers For
Further Concessions.
Wilson DiscardS Arbitration as
Means For Settlement.
President Fails to Cement
Breach in Railroad Crisis.
CONFERENCE OFF FOR TODAY
Hope Turns to Managers For
Further Concessions.
Wilson Discards Arbitration as
Means For Settlement.

Washington, Aug. 16.-One of the
most dramatic incidents in the history
of American labor will be enacted to-
morrow in the East Room of the Whlte
House Six hundred railroad workers.
representing 100000 of their fellows
win hear from President Wilson his
reasons for believing that they can set
tie the differences with their employ
ers without using their threatened
veapon-paralyza yzation of transporta-
ton
The men are coming to hear the ap-
peal the president has made to their
subcommittee Word was conveyed
10 the president at 12:30 today that
the conference in New York between
The delegates of the committee ana
w. :. Carter of the subcommittee
has resulted in nothing definite be-
yond agreement to hear him, Arrange
r7ents were made Immediately at the
White House for the president to re-
ceive them tomorrow.
Both May Yield Piont.
With the agreement by the mara
gers to accept the basic principle or
the eight-hour day, providing the
question of overtime shall be submits
ted to an investigation, the employees
today were considering a proposition
embracing this temporarily with pres
ont rates for overtime. Both sides
would thus yield somewhat from their
original stand.
The employees insist the railroads or
the president suggest the means of
investigation and allow them to pass
on it. One plan discussed is that ad-
Vanced by the industrial relations COM
miitee 1t provides that in case of a
disagreement such as the present
board of mediation and investigation
1
ber from each side and a third to be
chosen by the two selected or by the
president. It would be necessary then
to give by legislative enactment powers
to the board to administer oaths sub
poena witnesses. compel attendance
anG testimony and demand production
of pertinent evidence from both sides.
It is understood that the employees
may be willing to make, or are at
least considering, a six months trial
of the proposition comprising an eight
hour day and present rates of over
time.
Conference OFF for Today.
While the president today tempor-
arilN ceased his activities as mediator
pending the conference held by the
empIovcs and managers in New York
and Washington, administration Off
cials appeared hopeful that with the
resumption of direct efforts tomorrow
q will he possible to establish the
ElOuT 0WOTk lot settlement
New York Aug. 16-The six hun
dred representatives of the trainnen,
threatening to strike for their de-
mands of an eight-hour day and time
and a half for overtime. viii go to
Washington this afternoon to meet
President Wilson.
w s. Carter. president of the broth
erhood of firemen. who came to New
York from Washington last night to
submit the proposals to the employees.
made this announcement today follow
ing short conference with some of
the leaders. The proposal submitted
by Carter was that the railroads would
adopt an eight-hour rule for a trial
period. but continue the present
schedule of pro rata pay for over
time. The 500 representatives of the
100000 employees are district chairInen
of the various brotherhoods and it is
in their hands that final decision on
acceptance or rejection of the pro-
posals, looking to averting a strike
rests.
Immediately after announcing that
the chairmen would go to Washington,
Carter went into conference with them
at Webster hall.
No Hope for Arbitration.
Washington. Aug. 16.-Success or
failure in reaching a common ground
Tor settling the threatened general
railroad strike hinged today on the
disposal OF other issues, growing out
of the eight-hour day principle.
dope of arbitration has gone The
president Is understood to have Gefi-
nitely discarded this as means OF
accomplishing peace. But there was
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