The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-29
(Ry Associated pressl

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.-Direct
negotiations between railroad execu.
tives and the employees through Presi.
dent Wilson were practically closed
today when the executives refused to
acceded to proposal made to them
yesterday by Mr.. Wilson and present.
ed TO him a statement Of their posi-
ton containing another argument for
arbitration.
The statement presented to Presi-
dent Wilson by the committee of
eight denies that the sentiment of go.
ciety fayors an eighthour day and
declared that arbitration is the only
proper way Of settling industrial dis.
putes.
The suggestion Of President Wilson
for program including the principal
or an eight-hour day but postponing
It's effectiveness for "a year pending
investigation, was rejected by the rail.
road executives at a conference this
morning. The action of the railroad
presidents taken in connection with
the strike order Of the employees left
President Wilson no alternative but
to go to congress in a final effort to
avert the strike by legislation.
While President Wilson was an.
nouncing that he would lay the rail.
road strike situation before congress
at 2:30 o'clock today the Brotherhood
leaders rejected the latest proposi.
tion Of the committee Of railway presi.
dents and actually ordered the strike
to begin at seven a. m. Labor day un.
less settlement satisfactory to them is
reached in the meantime. Their prev.
ious order for strike was tentative
and required secret signal to put
1t into effect.
unless settlement satisfactory to
the labor leaders is reached before
that time or unless President Wilson
and Congress find some way to pre-.
vent 1t, the strike would start Labor
day without further notice.
The labor leaders admittedly took
action the first thing today IN the be.
lief that some means was being sought
TO prevent a strike actually being
called. BY their action they think
they have anticipated any legal pro.
cesses which might be brought against
them.
President Wilson made his decision
70 address congress in joint session
at 2:30 o'clock soon after the decis.
Ion OF the labor leaders became known.
arrangements were made at the can.
ltol for the House and Senate to as.
semble in the hall Of the House to hear
the Presidents proposed legislation
which has been agreed upon by ad.
ministration leaders.
Shortly after 10:30 a telephone call
came to the White House from rail.
road executives to the effect that the
committee Of eight would like to see
President Wilson. He had engage.
ments up until one o'clock but he in.
formed the executives that he would
see them IL possible. Later the Pres.
ident sent word to the executives he
would see them at eleven o'clock and
postponed cabinet meeting to do
SO.
The Brotherhood leaders declared
after their meeting this morning that
nothing but satisfactory settle
ment" could prevent their men from
walking out. The leaders take the
position that the strike already order.
ed they could not be prevented by
legal processes from making ID ef.
fective while It left them free to call
It OF IL settlement satisfactory 70
them Is reached.
The legislative program prepared for
congress includes the following meas.
ures:
An eight.hour day law for railroad
employees so framed as to give the
railroads time to prepare for it; and,
A law patterned after the Canadian
industrial disputes act providing for
investigation Of industrial disputes on
railroads by commission and pro.
hibfting strikes or lockouts pending
the outcome Of the Investigation.
In addition to these measures there
are under consideration resolution
to increase the revenues Of the rail-
roads In case the expenses are increas.
ed, and a. law creating authority for
the operation OF the railroads under
the federal government In event of a
strike. The plan tonight was to have