Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-28

| would have sufficient a"snority &c
deal with any development.
II was understood that the chief
reason for the exodus of labor men
lay in the fact that they were anxious
to keep in closer touch with the
unions they represent and want to
make sure of their ground in that d.
rection before taking adverse steps
They will canvass sentiment very
carefully among the rank and file Of
the brotherhood men.
After President Wilson's confer.
ence with Senators Newlands and
Kern, Senator Newlands discussed
the situation with Senators Robinson
Salisbury, Lewis and other demo-
cratic members and Senator Cum
minis, a republican member OF the
commerce committee. Senators were
reticent, but the whole situation, is
said to have been laid before the
democratic senators just as it stands
| for them to think over and if possible
to find some means OF satisfying the
demands OF the roads,
May Meet Monday.
Senator Newlands said he had not
called a meeting Of the commerce
committee and did not know whether
it would meet. 1t was regarded as
probable, however, that a meeting
might be held Monday.
Informal conference Of democratic
members probably will be held dur
ing the next few days to deliberate
on the proposal. At any rate, no i'm
mediate congressional action is antici.
pated and no one in authority would
state whether the railroad crisis would
operate to prevent adjournment Of
congress next week.
Senator Newlands said congress has
power to direct the Interstate Com
merce commission to increase rate:
or lower them. A suggestion ha:
been made, it was reported, that con
gress might pass the pending bill tt
increase the membership OF the Inter
state Commerce commission iron
seven to nine and attach to it al
amendment expressing the sense o
congress that the railroads shoult
have an increase in freight rates !
they accept the eight-hour day. Suci
an expression by congress PRACTICAL!
would amount to directing the com
mission to grant an increase. Whethe,
such action would satisfy the rail
roads, Senator Newlands said he hal
no idea.
GAS a matter of fact, the law no,
srec;fcally states" said Senator New
lands, shat in fixing railroad rate
the Interstate Commerce commission
must take into consideration a.
operating expenses and an increas
/ of wages attendant upon shorten
ing of the railroad work day woul
amount to an increase in operating
expenses"
Regardless of the outcome Q
President Wilson's negotiations,
was indicated tonight that a few 9
the brotherhood leaders probabl
would remain here longer than Mon
day. Heads Of the four brotherhood
and their vice presidents however
probably will remain indefinitely
the settlement Of the dispute is no
reported soon. The head of eac
organization met with his vice pres
idents tonight, and discussed tenta
tive plans for strike. The manne
in which the federal government ha
been injected into the situation woul
make It almost imperative. 1t
thought that should there be an
strike, il would be decided from here
Two Things to Prevent.
/ r. As the brotherhood men saw tn
situation tonight, only two step
could prevent walkout. These ar
| for the railroads to Withdraw thei
insistence upon arbitration for all tn
demands of the men. or for the gov
eruu,ent Ito take over the railroad
for operation during the strike. LII
tie confidence was expressed that tn
railroad heads would recede, but tn
men professed to see great hopes G
government operation of the line:
particularly after the presidents Wis
to congress. Just what these hope
were based upon was not apparent.
II strike should come, it wa
learned tonight, it probably will nc
become operative for about a weel
The brotherhood men, while the
have the right to declare strik
from here, probably would not do Sc
until the representatives leavin
TODAY and tomorrow had talked tn
situation over with their local CON
mittess. Some of them could nc
reach home in less than FIVE days.
Considering the strain under whic
they were waiting, the employees rer
resentatives were remarkably cali
today. No demonstration occurre
at any OF their meetings. The
promised to call at the hall if the
heard frer, the White House, bt
falling to hear, they did not go nea
it nor communicate with the me
there. ,p. ...@--
The brotherhood officials wer
almost as much at sea as the niel
They expected the president woul
see the railroad heads and receiy
4 their plan during the morning an
talk with them about noon. The
had no comment to make on deve
opments except to say they wer
"just waiting" for word from tn
White House.