Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-21

$4,000
arrive tomorrow morning and other.
are expected at night. Representa-
tives of both sides are prepared to re.
main here until the final word il
spoken and a strike declared OF
averted.
President Wilson made no engage.
ments for tomorrow in order to be
ready to continue negotiations with
the railroad presidents, but it was
thought probable that there would be
no further general White House con.
ferences until Tuesday. Although the
railroad executives continue to main.
tain their position in opposition to the
presidents plan and in favor oil
arbitration, administration officials
express hope that ultimately they
would decide to negotiate on the basis
proposed by Mr.. Wilson.
Counter Proposal.
1t was understood tonight that a
counter proposal was under consider
alton by the railroad executives, but
that it had not yet reached definite
stage. 1t was said to include arbitra-
ton of at least some of the points at
issue, with the granting OF others.
In the meantime kilograms urging
the president to insist on arbitration
arrived in large numbers at the White
House. Most Of them were sent by
business men and firms and organ
izations. Copies of many were sent
to the railroad executives. Admin
istration officials said the kilograms
would have no effect on the president,
since he had tried to bring about arbi-
tration, and failed, and had no way
of forcing it.
Only few OF the brotherhood
members remained in Washington
over Sunday, most of them going to
nearby resorts last night, upon being
advised by President Wilson that he
would have no communications for
them today. Those who stayed here
issued no statements and indicated
that they would have nothing further
to say regarding the situation until
word came from the railroad heads in
regard to the presidents proposal.
The brotherhood members will
meet at their hall tomorrow at 10
o'clock, but II is expected that ad-
journment will follow within a few
minutes, as they probably will have
nothing before them.
Lee Gives Out Statement.
w. G. Lee, head Of the Brotherhood
Of Railroad Trainmen,, gave out
brief statement tonight on behalf of
the men, pointing out that in accept
ing President Wilson's plan the en-
ployes surrendered a very large por-
ton "of their demands while the
railroad companies seem about as I'M
willing to accept suggestions from the
president OF the United States as they
have in the past refused to consider
requests from their employees" He
added that workmen would remain
here, but would take no further action
until released by Mr.. Wilson.
The railroad officials found two
points in President Wilson's public
statement Of his settlement plan that
comforted them and led to belief
that eventually there will be an agree
ment averting a strike. The first was
q hint that il the facts warranted, the
Interstate Commerce commission
might grant an increase in freight
rates, and the second was a sugges-
ton that the eight-hour base would be
accepted only tentatively and might
be terminated after investigation BY
the commission provided by the pres
ident's plan.
Contention Of Railroads.
The railroads all along have con-
tended that the facts relating to paw
Of men will not justify the eight-hour
day and some of them are said to feel
that investigation by an impartial
commission cannot fail to back no
that position, The companies would
be under additional expense while
the investigation was in progress. but.
IN the opinion of Mr.. Wilson, its work
would be done expeditiously, and
report might be expected in a few
The road, officials, however. evil
IDENTIFY feel that before a decision il
reached, every opportunity should be
given other business interests to de-