Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-15
WILSON SEESBOTH
S|DESON RAILWAY
WAGE SITUATION
Suggestion Made that Presi-
dent APPOINT the Neutrals on
an Arbitration Board Where
Both Are Represented.
ANOTHER MEETING TODAY
Employees Suggest They Will
Have Fair Hearing If Plan
is Adopted. 81
MUST CONSIDER PUBLIC

washington, Aug. l4.-Atter his
conference with railroad managers
late today, President Wilson issued
the followings
II have met both Sides and have
gone over the case with utmost
frankness. l shall not be able to
judge until tomorrow whether we
have feasible basis of settlement"
The committee Of managers re-
maihed in conference with the prcsi-
dent an hour, and as they left Elisha
Lee, their spokesman, refused to
make any statement.
To Take Up Suggestions.
The managers left the White
House to hold meeting to take up
suggestions laid before them by the
president. The president arranged
to see Judge Chambers later today.
1t was indicated that the employees
had made suggestion which the
managers want to discuss among
themselves. The suggestion was be-
lieyed to be that the president ap-
point neutral arbitrators to serve with
representatives of each side,
Late this afternoon previous an.
nouncement that the managers would
see the president at 9 o'clock tomor-
row morning was reversed and it was
said the representatives Of the en-
ployes would confer with him at that
hour. The managers will see him aft
erward.
-. Confernce Again Today.
After the presidents conferences
with both concerned in the threaten
ed railroad strike, it was agreed that
the outlook was hopeful. The confer
ences will be resumed tomorrow.
When the railroad managers closed
their first conference at 4 o'clock
this afternoon they went into secret
meeting to discuss some proposals.
which the president had laid before
them as a result OF his earlier confer-
ence with the brotherhood leaders.
Its nature was kept secret, but 1t was
believed to be that the president ap-
point the neutral arbitrators and thus
satisfy the demand of the men that
they go before board which they
considered SO constituted as to givc
them fair hearing. ~
The brotherhood men at their con.
ference with the president indicated
d willingness to arbitrate if the pres
ident himself would hear the case, or
possibly if he would appoint the neu-
trails on large board on which all
the brotherhoods would be repre-
sented.
When the managers committee
left the White House it was said the
president had put before both sides
the interests of the public and COM
sidered that decision rested with the
managers and employees and that he
could do nothing but wait. q
An Agreement Possible.
The, discussion this morning, 1t was
learned, centered largely about the
possibility of reaching an agreement
on some form OF arbitration. 1t was
considered possible that a tentative
agreement might be reached provid-
ing for arbitration Of the demands
of the men for an eight-hour day
and for time and half overtime, with
the elimination of the counter propos-
ais of the employers.
Shortly after 2:30 o'clock the man
ayers committee, at the conclusion Of
a half-hour conference, went to the
White House to meet the president.
There were nineteen managers in the
party, and all were silent over the de-
velopments of the conference Of the
men and the president earlier in the
day.
After introducing the committee Of
managers to President Wilson, Judge
Chambers of the mediation board
said:
"The ice appears to Be melting a
little" He added that he was more
hopeful that strike would be averted
than he was when he came here from
New York this mornig.
Why Arbitration Refused.
The brotherhood men went into
conference firm in their determine
ton not to accept an arbitration un-
der the Newlands act, which they
contend has always furnished arbi-
traitors before whom the men did not
have an unprejudiced opportunity.
There were some indications that
the president, recognizing that view,
might propose special arbitration
before board of twelve members, on
which the four great bfotherhoods
could be represented.
The presidents plan was to appeal
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