Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-26
Developments of the Day
Fail to Indicate Any
Quick Settlement
WILSON CONFERS
WITH UNION HEADS
Employers Holding Out for
Work Day as at Present
on Most of Roads

Washington, D. c., Aug. 25.-The
railway strike negotiations resolved
themselves today, outwardly at least,
into a more or less confused state.
j Expressions of optimism from both
sides were not so free as they were
yesterday. and feeling heretofore gen
eral among the managers that plan
to include the eight hour day would be
found was not SO evident. Some OF the
railway executives reverted to their
lprediction that it never would be con-
lceded.
President Wilson today conferred
with the four brotherhood heads. All
parties to the conference steadfastly
refused to say what was talked about.
The railroad executives conferred
among themselves during the day and
It was thought possible they might lat
er 20 to the white house.
= Some of the more optimistic still
had hopes of final decision being
reached before tomorrow night.
The executives and managers devot-
ed practically no time today to con.
.sideration of freight rate increases or
the length of the working day and pay.
were standing on President Wilson's
plan and had not changed their atti'
tude = particle.
As the conferences among the rail.
road executives progressed it was said
the presidents we're standing more
closely together for arbitration than at
any time since they had assembled
here. ...-. . ~
It was indicated that the commnuica
tion being prepared for President Will
son would contain further insistence
on arbitration.
Late this afternoon Presidents Low
ett, Holden and Willard Of the Union
Z Pacific, Burlington and Baltimore &
Ohio, respectively, went to the white
house. It was understood they would
outline to President Wilson the con-
clusion of the select committee of ex-
ecutives SO far.
Objections Are Raised.
Railway presidents today were con-
fronted with a number Of objections
to their tentative plan for meeting the
union brothehoods demands by grant
ing the eight hour day on condition
that freight rate increases and public
Investigation of future wage disputes
be assured. They arranged another
meeting shortly before noon to con-
slider their special committees pro-
posal and it appeared possible that a
final conclusion would be postponed
until net week. ..
These conditions weighed against
the chances Of rate Increase:
There Is no means of assuring what
action the interstate commerce COM
mission might take, particularly mas
much as previously it has indicated
unwillingness to consider wage stan
dards in dealing with proposed rate
increases; strong influence of big
shippers probably would be thrown
against higher rates; President Will
sons stand for an increase would
amount to little If he should fail Of re-
election; regardless of other hazards,
new rates could not be put into effect
before next March. =.
The greatest element OF uncertainty
regarding the proposed legislation for
creating federal body to Investigate
labor demands before strike might
be allowed was the probable hostility
Of labor leaders to the plan.
Continued hostility of many presi-
dents to the eight hour day under any
circumstances complicated the situar
ton further. &
MANItEAcrIIPEPa pp0rEsr