Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-28
PRESIDENT WILSON WANTS
BOARD IN RAILWAY CRISIS

Continued from Patc One
principle Of the elght-hour day in at least
| an amended form.
Then the President intends asking Con-
sress specifically to authorize the Newlands
| commission to act in the case. II was said.
that, despite the fact that the $40 union
chalrmen before leaving for their homes
yesterday instructed their committee Of "a,
| left here to handle details, not to arbitrato
the eIght.hour day, the President is con-
vinced that these instructions are elastic
enough to permit the essentials Of compen.
sation to be passed on by the Newlands
commission.
PUTS PLAN UP TO LANE
The President virtually has put the work.
ing out OF a solution that will satisfy all
sides up TO Franklin X. Lane, secretary of
the interior. For years as member Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission Lane
was familIarlzing himself with railroad
AFFAIRS He now is bringing his experience
10 bear on the various proposals OF settle
ment and is aiding the President in his
self-imposed task of preventing industrial
chaos.
The committee OF railway presidents and
managers will not see President Wilson
until 2.3O this afternoon. Their appoint
ment to confer with him at 10 o'clock this
morning was Cancelled at the request Of
the President. The latter desired further
time to examine the situation and to learn,
through Judge Chambers of the concilia-
ton board, just what instructions the COM
plete committee of the brotherhood gave TO
their subcommittee before leaving wash
ington.
WILL SOUND EXECUTIVES
II generally was accepted that the Presi-
dent would tell the railroad executives that
he could not accept their counter-proposal.
Then he was expected to sound them on his
general plan Later he will confer with
the brotherhood chiefs and try to get their
views on the suggestion. II sentiment
can be created in both organizations favor
able to the plan, then the President will
suggest that both sides name committee
of not more than four to act with him in
drawing UP an agreement Of just what the
Newlands Commission shall Dass on.
Meanwhile propositions for congress
SlOnal action dlOIb ONuti liliSo "Sic 'V-
ferred. No arrangements have been made
for joint session The President will con-
tlnue consultation Of congressional leaders,
Republicans as we'll as Democrats-in an
effort to agree on plan to be substituted
for his latest one II the latter is finally
rejected.
PLANS FOR LEGISLATION.
Intervention by Congress appears to offer
the only solution. Congressional leaders
who have conferred with President Wilson,
say that is the conviction of the Chief
Executive All efforts he has made person.
ally during the last two weeks apparently
have failed.
It is believed by those who have been
consulted that the President will ask for
legislation similar to the Canadian disputes
Act. That provides for investigation Of all
disputes by a commission. Under the exist
ing law, mediation cannot be forced but IL
a law similar to the Canadian law were
written on the statute books, mediation and
investigation could he forced. While ac-
ceptance of the commissions findings is
not mandatory, 1t has been found that the
force of public opinion has resulted in
acceptance of the findings in nearly all
instances
1t is generally agreed by Senator New
lands that the bill to increase the size OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which has passed the House, can be reached
through the Senate with virtually no debate.
Until the present railroad crisis arose. 1t had
been the plan Of the Senate leaders to
let the measure go over until the next
session OF Congress.
Plans have been made not only for in
creasing the size of the commission but
broadening its powers The number Of
commissioners is to be increased from seven
to nine. and authority is to be given to
divide into groups.
1t is considered highly probable that the
legislation to be passed will authorize the
Federal Government to take over the rail-
roads and operate them during the dispute,
but It is known the President does not want
to have the Government take over the roads.
Under the terms of the army legislation,
enacted during the present session of Con-
gress, the President is given authority to
take over the railroads and operate them in
time of war. An attempt TO so broaden the
authority as to give him the power when
war is imminent" failed. Therefore, he has
no right today to operate the roads.
ADJOURNMENT PLANS OFF
Senator Kern, Democratic floor leader,
who predicted last week that Congress
would adjourn Friday said today that all
adjournment plans were on, because it is
virtually certain Congress will be called
upon to enact legislation Immediately to
meet the present crisis, Senator Kern said
no time would be set for the joint session Of
the House and Senate to hear President
Wilson until after the results OF the con-
ferenees today became known.
The Interstate Commerce Committees of
the two houses will be in charge Of prepsr-
ing the legislation. After reporting it from
the committees, Senator Newlands, OF
Nevada, will be in charge Of the fight for its
passage in the Senate. and Representative
Adamson, of Georgia, will have charge OF
the measures on the floor Of the House,
The two men are the chairmen of the COM
mittees