New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-18

Brotherhood of Conductors, came out,
one of the last to leave. he said:
"The President has submitted to us a
definite proposition to settle the con-
| troversy. II is the proposition on
which he is prepared to stand or fall;
We are now going down TO our hall ana
! consider il. When we reach decision
we will let the President know imme-
diately, and he can use his own ludg-
ment about telling you. If we have any
further questions to ask we shall send
up TO the White House and ask them.
That is all"
Delay in Accepting Plan.
The six hundred went into session
/ Immediately. and remained BEHIND
locked doors Of the theatre until al
most 6 o'clock. They talked for an
hour and half. 1t was plain to be
seen that they would not accept the
Presidents plan Immediately. The dis
cussion showed that there was no
unanimity of sentiment this afternoon,
at least. But the discussion was no
more than has characterized any meet
ings of the whole body OF delegates.
The principal objection TO the plan
was made by big Westerner who
stood up and declared that the eight
hour concession was all right, but there
was nothing at all in the plan TO pre-
vent the roads from making man work
sixteen hours a day, as the men 90 on
some of the roads. He insisted that
the pro rata time would not deter the
roads from working the men just as
long as at present.
When it became apparent that the de-
bate would last for hours, perhaps, an
adjournment was taken until to-mor-
row morning at 9 o'clock.
owe considered the Presidents pro-
posal," said Mr.. Garretson after the
adjournment, but no decision was
reached We meet again tomorrow.
There was a steady debate Of the propo-
sition."
"Win you reach decision before to-
morrow afternoon ?"
81 have more than an idea that we
will"
"Of course the men will accept the
plan?"
AZ don't know"
"Well, what do you suppose" he was
asked, "that these railroad presidents
can do to alter the situation II the man
ayers insist on their stand?"
"Let me tell you," he said, that l
have often gone before my committees
and stood them on their heads. II can
be done"
Garretson was hopeful tonight that
the presidents of the reads would be
more willing to accept the proposed set
Element than their managers.
President Wilson has one ally among
the railroad executives in Daniel VIII
lard, president of the Baltimore & Ohio.
Secretary Tumulty called him up early
this morning when the President de-
cided to send out the invitation. lie
promised to do everything possible 10
insure a large representation of the
officials of the roads. The Eastern and
Southern executives who reached here
tonight are A. II. Smith, president Of
the New York Central; Frank Trum-
bull, chairman of the Chesapeake &
Ohio; BENJAMIN +. Bush, receiver OF
the Missouri Pacific; Hale Holden,
president of the Chicago, Burlington &
/ Quincy; w. w. Atterbury, vice-presl-
dent of the Pennsylvania; W. j. Hara-
han, president of the Sesboard Air
Line; w. II. Truesdale, president of the
Delaware, Lackawanna q Western; l..
| F. Loree, president of the Delaware &
! Hudson; +. j. Pearson, vice-president
/ of the New York, New Haven & Hart
/ ford; George W. stevens, president OF
the Chesapeake q Ohio; r. S. Loyett'
! chairman Of the Union Pacific; julius
/ Kruttschnitt, chairman of the Southern
| Pacific; f. d. Underwood, president Of
the Erie, and J. II. Hustins, of the Bos-
! ton & Maine.
1t was pointed out for the railroads
/ tonight that the objections raised at
/ the meeting of the union delegates this
/ afternoo, address TO the proof of the
roads contention that the men are
after more money solely and are cloak
! ing it in the guse Of better working
conditions. On the Western roads, it Is
stated it would be impossible now to
operate under an eight-hour schedule,
and the men know it. The railroads
maintain that before any eight-hour
day is put into effect board should
investigate working conditions on rail-
roads throughout the country and de-
| wise n method Of improving them.