Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-09-01

Both Houses to Be C22''!::d II
Special Session.
WILSON PREPARES MESSAGE
Executive Is Determined to Take Ac-
ton Which Will Insure Operation
Of Carriers-StilI Hopes Mediation
Will Point Way to Adjustment.


Will Point Way to Adjustment.
Washington, Aug. 29.-President
Wilson has decided definitely to go be-
fore congress in person to recommend
legislation to avert the threatened ma
tionwide railroad strike, or stop it II 1t
comes before congress can act.
He worked until late at night on his
message, in which he will tell mem
bers Of the senate and house the ne
gotiations to date and lay before them
definite legislative program.
Long in Conference.
The president reached this decision
after conferences at the White House
with the committee of eight railroad
presidents and the four brotherhood
heads, on a new proposal for settle
ment of differences, suggested by the
executives, and after a prolonged dis
cussion of the situation at the capitol
with the members Of the Democratic
steering committee Of the senate.
The proposal Of tho railroad execu-
tives was that an investigation of all
issues be conducted by commission
to be named by the president, the In
vestigation to last for q period OF
three or four months, no action to be
taken by either side in the meantime,
and, at the conclusion Of the inquiry.
the situation to be what it is now, the
employees having the choice OF either
arbitrating or striking
Men Stand by Order.
The brotherhood heads promised a
reply and there was every indication
it would be unfavorable.
When the railroad brotherhood
heads went to the White House the
president not only laid before them
the plan OF the executives, but strong
ly urged the withdrawal Of a tentative
strike order sent out subject to release
calling for walkout Of the 100000
brotherhood members at Z a. m. Labor
day, Sept. 4.
This request was refused fatty, the
leaders saying only the committee Of
GAO, which has left Washington, had
power to recall the order.
Copies of the strike order were
brought to the presidents attention
after they had got into the possession
of the railroad executives.
Wilson Greatly Perturbed.
It had been known that the men,
bers of the committee Of $40 carried
home with them tentative order. but
no one outside of the brotherhood
councils had suspected that date
had been set, and the president is said
to have been greatly perturbed by the
information. After the refusal to
withdraw the order, he communicated
with the railroad presidents, who held
meeting that lasted until late in the
night.
In spite Of the apparent final failure
Of his efforts to bring the two sides to-
gether, the president was represented
as being still hopeful Of averting a
strike.
Raise in Rates Favored.
The legislative program prepared
for congress includes an eight-hour
day law for railroad employees so
framed as to give the railroads time
to prepare for it, and law, patterned
after the Canadian Industrial disputes
act, providing for an investigation OF
industrial disputes on railroads by a
commission and prohibiting strikes or
lockouts pending the outcome Of the
investigation. In addition TO these
measures, there are under considers
ton a resolution to increase the reve-
nue. Of the railroads in case the ex-
penses are increased, and law ere.
ating authority for the operation OF
the railroads under the federal gov
eminent in event Of a strike.
The plan was to have the first two
measures introduced as amendments
to the bill, which already has passed
the house, increasing the interstate
commerce commission from seven to
nine members.
President 10 Determined.
Although on the surface a nation
wide railroad strike was nearer than
II ever has been, confidence was ex.
pressed in official quarters that the
steps under contemplation would have
the effect Of preventing the walkout.
The president, realizing the disaster
which will come to the country II the
railroads are tied up, is said to be de.
termined to prevent a strike at any
cost,
In his conferences with the execu-
tiyes he strongly urged that they
change their hitherto unyielding atti-
tude, and when he saw the employees
he declared that all suggestions from
the executives should be given most
careful considera ton
Final arrangements for the appear
ance of the president before congress
were not completed but he discussed
the decision fully with the Democratic
u