The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-18

the Presidents position in summoning
representatives of a large number OF
working men to the White House with
out others present for a discussion OF
labor problem stood unparalleled.
In his talk to the men, the President
explained his feeling that a strike must
be avoided at any cost because OF the
disastrous effect on the country. He
then said that after reviewing the sit
uation thoroughly with the small com
mittees representing the employees and
employers, he had drawn up plan
which he thought was fair to both
sides, and which he hoped would be &C
cepted by both.
The President declared he believed
in the principle of the eight-hour day,
and that he thought the greater part
of the people of the United States held
a similar view. He also sought to i'm
press upon the men that he knew what
it meant to work for living. He said
he had learned early in life the trials
of making both ends meet"
COLLATERAL ISSUES
Regarding the collateral issues the
President admitted that he vast at loss
to say how they should be settled. If the
question of overtime and other problems
were left to him, he said, he would have
eide what would be fair. He added that
in his belief there were enough honest
men in the United States to decide these
questions fairly, to both sides, and that
they would do so if called upon.
At the conclusion of the Presidents
talk, the four brotherhood heads ques-
toned him in order to bring out all the
points for the benefit of the members
of the general committee who have not
ferences
The men declined an invitation OF
the President that they remain in the
White House and decide whether they
would approve or reject his proposition
Mr.. Garretson explained that he believed
it would be best for the men to go tc
their hall for a meeting
When they left, the men were invited
to shake hands with the President. Wher
about half of them had done SO, w. S
Carter, head of the enginemen. noticed
Mr.. Wilson wincing occasionally as q
husky employee gripped his hand tightly
Just touch the Presidents hand, men,
Mr.. Carter said. HE is unaccustomed tt
your kind of grips
The brotherhood men were pleased ovel
the Presidents plan and while leaders
declined to forecast the action of the
men when they vote on this tomorrow
everywhere the feeling existed that they
would approve it overwhelmingly.
MEETING PRIVATE
Every precaution was used to proven
any save members of the brotherhood
from obtaining admission to the various
meetings today both at the hall and the
White House. The plan of issuing speca
tickets to members for use at the hal
was discussed, but abandoned because
am rh did M romqip for in,
them. 1t then was arranged for severa
men to check up on the members as the,
applied for admission Special guards alst
were placed on all Of the fire escapes
windows and stairways, and the doors
closed before the meeting began. At tn,
White House brotherhood men CAREFUL,
identified every man in the meeting befor,
the President spoke.
The Presidents decision to invite thu
railroad presidents to the White Hous,
was reached after he had become con
here would not consent to the eight-hou
day plan. The invitations were sent t,
10 railroad presidents at first, but it wa!
extended to all presidents 'immediatel,
accessible"
The railroad presidents will see tn,
President at 80 a. M, tomorrow, ant
at that time he will explain to them II
detail his plan. and make practically tn,
same speech which he delivered to tn,
employees today. Those who arrived to
night from New York included:
w. w. Atterbury, vice president Penn
sylvania railroad: Hale Holden, president
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad
Ralph Peters, president Long Islant
Railroad company; w. H. Truesdale
president Delaware. Lackawanna ant
Western railroad; Frank Trumbull. chair