Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-08-17
Suggestion Be Made That
Remaining Issues Be Sub
mitted to a Commission.
MEN AT CAPITOL
ARE ENCOURAGED
Understood That President Will APP
peal to Public in Event Of Failure
to Eject Compromise at To.
days Meetings.

Washington, Aug. 16.-President
Wilson today completed a definite
plan for the settlement Of the threat
ened nationwide railway strike, and
will submit it to representatives OF
the managers and employees tomorrow.
The proposition framed by the
president following conferences with
the managers and employees repre-
sentatives since Monday morning pro-
poses that the railways shall concede
the eight-hour day, with an agree
ment that it will be observed. Later,
it is probable it will be proposed that
federal commission, appointed by
the president or created by congress,
Investigate all problems which have
arisen during the present discussion.
The chief obstacle in the way of
acceptance of the plan lies in the in
sistence of the railroad managers
upon arbitration and their opposition
to an eight-hour day, and in the de-
mands of the employees for extra pay
at the rate of time and a half for
overtime. X
Whether the two sides will give in
on these points constituted the chief
danger in the situation tonight, al
though administration officials said
/ the negotiations would be continued
until peaceful solution was found.
Men Are Optimistic.
The general committee of the en-
ployes, including $40 representatives
of the trainmen and enginemen, on the
225 railroad systems of the country,
arrived here tonight in response to
summons by their subcommittee,
which has been meeting with the
president. The general committee has
plenary powers to accept or reject any
plan of settlement. The men, although
refraining from discussing the presi-
dents plan, said they thought the out
look encouraging for settlement.
At 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon the
president will meet the entire general
committee of $40 in the east room of
the white house and lay before them
his plan. He will accompany it with
a statement appealing to their patriot
ism, and urging compromise in the
interests of the nation.
While no time has been set for a
conference between the president and
the managers, it is thought probable
it will take place tomorrow morning.
When Mr.. Wilson sees the, managers
uC Will Hldhc PIdCClCdlly VIC odIIlC
statement he intends to present to the
employees, paying particular attention,
however, to points he feels the man.
ayers should concede.
The president completed his plan
during conference today with Judge
VIM. l.. Chambers of the federal
board of mediation and concilitation,
who took to the white house statistics
compiled by experts showing the prob
able cost to the railroads of the grant
ing of the basic eight-hour day. I'M
mediately afterward, Judge Chambers
talked briefly with the managers
committee. He did not confer with
the employees representatives.
The conference between the presi-
dent and Judge Chambers was the
only formal meeting of the day in
connection with the situation. There
were no white house conferences with
the managers and employees, pending
the arrival of the brotherhoods' gen.
eral committee from New York and
the drawing up of definite plan by
Mr.. Wilson.
The managers spent the day in in
formal meeting and conversations at
their hotel. The employees representa-
tives rested at their hotel, saying
they had nothing to confer about
among themselves.
The president is depending largely
on public opinion to force a settle
ment. Should the present method of
procedure seem about to fail, it was
thought probable today he would take
the public into his confidence.
Discussion of the creation of fed
eral commission to investigate the
railroad situation centered largely
around the contention of the railroad
officials that such a commission will
be unable to get at all the facts and
will be unable to prevent recurrence
of the present crisis.
Managers Confer Continuously.
The committee of managers re-
manned in session almost continuous
ly today, discussing the conferences
with the president and the tentative
suggestions outlined. 1t was stated
that the negotiations are now in such
form that both sides before the end
of the week.
Administration officials would not