Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-08-24
RAILROADS ABOUT
READY To GRANT
E|GHT.R0UR DAY
Chief Problem Discussed by
Executives Is to Find
Way to Raise Money.
CONGRESS STANDS
READY TO ASSIST
Chairman of the Senate and House
Interstate Commerce Committees
Endorse Attitude of President in
Present Situation.

Washington. Aug. 23.--Tn another
effort to aid the presidents of the
cOuntry's railroads to find some way
| in which to accept an eight-hour day
| for their trainmen and avert the
threatened strike, President Wilson
tonight conferred fer an hour and a
half with President Hale Holden of
the Burlington. Dnaiel willard of the
baltimore & Ohio, and r. S. Lovett of
| the Union Pacific.
Neither white house officials nor
| the presidents Of the railroads would
discuss the conference. 1t was said
on authority, however, that the three
executives went to the white house to
receive an answer to the suggestion
they made to Mr.. Wilson last night,
that he give them more specific infor-
nation as to how the railroads may
get additional revenue necessary to
take care of the greater payrolls that
will come with the eight day.
Congress Behind President.
Earlier in the day President Wilson
discussed the railroad situation at
length with Senator Newlands and
Representative Adamson, chairmen
of the two committees of congress in
charge of legislation affecting inter-
state commerce.
Their visit was the sequence Of the
meeting CT the railroad men last
night The two chairmen are said to
have agreed that the presidents no.
lion in the present situation was
right and to have said that every
effort could be expected in congress
to put through any legislation which
might help to solve the present diff
Guilty and provide for the future.
One of the means of recouping sug-
ges'ed by the president to the rail-
roads in his public outline of his po-
sition was an advance in freight
rates 1t was pointed out tonight that
the president could not directly ask
the interstate commerce commission
to grant increases to the railroads.
Congress, however, might pass res
olution, directing the commission, in
view of what is considers an unprece
denied situation, to grant higher
rates. Congress also might pass a
resolution directing the commission
to investigate all matters involved in
the present controversy, and the
whole subject of the relations of rail-
TOduS anu tuclT culplOJCo.
One result expected from today's
conference is an early effort to pass
the bill introduced several months
ago, to increase the commissions
membership from seven to nine.
Ready Accept Eieht.HOur Day.
1t became evident tonight that most
of the railroad executives have come
to believe that there can be only one
way of preventing a strike and that
is by accepting thee light -hour day
plan. The chief effort in their con-
ferences today was to find some
scheme by which an eight-hour day
may be put into operation on all the
railroads at the least expense. Many
suggestions along this line have been
made by president, but no one Of them
has proved feasible when submitted
to the acid test Ut operating officials.
Among the many messages received
at the white house today was one
from Henry N. Cope, president Of the
Texas Farmers union, declaring that
the farmers were opposed to the eight
hour day unless 1t was to be granted
20 all those who labor. He urged that
the entire controversy be turned over
for adjustment to a properly consti-
tuted committee which could careful
ly investigate and give the farmers
and theif interests hearing.
Roads Are "Stnlling."
An employees meeting this morning
was thrown into an uproar by
speeches of minority which demand
ed immediate action unless the rail-
roads accept the presidents plan, but
the leaders succeeded in adjourning
before any vote could be taken on anv
of the various proposals. They said
af.erward that while the pressure
for immediate action came from a
minority, it was strong, but they be-
lieved the majority would be willing
to give the president little more
time.
at is our belief" one of the COM
mitteemen said. "that the railroads
are playing for time with the presi-
dent just as they have done with us
for many months There Is no reas-
on why they should not have given
the president an answer by this time.