Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-08-28
ALL IS UNCERTAIN
Continued From Page One.)

Ing measures:
A law similar to the Canadian dis
putes act, which averts all strikes and
lockouts for one year pending the in
vestigation by a commission of all de-
tails incident to the dispute.
An eight hour law for railroad en-
ployes-probably an amendment to the
present 16 hour law-with features COW
ering matters of overtime and other
collateral details.
1t was learned today the president
feels keenly disappointed that the two
sides of the pending dispute have been
in the city more than two weeks and
within few blocks of each other and
tnat there have been conferences be-
tween the railroads and the brother
| hoods in an effort to assist him in ar.
irving at some satisfactory plan of set
alement.
The president, from the first, ex-
pressed willingness-even anxiety
to pass on any fair proposition either
side might present to the other, in an
effort to bring them together, but that
thus far no such proposition has been
made.
| Takes Up Last weapon
President Wilson today took up what
may be mis- last weapon against nation
wide industrial paralysis. He put con
gress to work on the railroad strike sit
uation.
Indicating the belief on the presi
dent s part that chances of averting
the threatened break beween he rail
roads and the railroad brotherhoods
have grown slender, the call on con
gress is said to be not only for legis
J lation to aid in preventing strike
but to handle the strike should it oc
eur. He was said to be ready to ap
peal to congress for legislation along
the following lines;
| Such as mignt aid in the prevention
in strike should all his own effort:
fail.
| Providing an adequate legal methot
for immediate settlement should thu
strike actually occur
Provisions for handling the situation
keeping the trains moving, etc.
Details of such legislation occupied
the president, Secretary Newlands
chairman of the interstate commerce
committee, and Secretary Lane, thu
president 's confidential adviser in thu
cabinet, throughout yesterday. Afte
final conference the president wa
informed that legislation shuch as h,
had in mind could be put through con
gress at this session.
The president s conference with tn
railroad presidents committee of eigh
at which the 'finaln terms of tn,
railroads were to be presented in writ
ten form, was deferred today from II
a. m. to 2:30 p. m.
The president made an unprecedent
ed night trip to the capitol and dis
cussed his plans with Senator Kern
democratic floor leader.
/ If speculation, doubtful and uncer
tainty marked the general strike stu
alton Saturday, it may be said tina
today s developments promised in rap
id order a clearing up of the now dan
gerous and perplexing situation.
To Meet Again Today
The president was to see both side
today. The railroads expected to ig
more his eight hour proposal for peae
and stand pat for arbitration. Tn
employees, unless they prepared som
entirely unexpected move, apparentl
were certain to order q strike.
j All manner of reports were curren
today as to the presidents next move
The indications were, however, tina
the president would 60 before congres
] and urge the passage of measur
drawn along the lines of the Canada
dispute act, providing for investigation
of alt industrial disputes by commits
sion. Sucn commission would hav
the power of forcing mediation and il
vestigation but would have no powe
Of enforcing its findings. Public opir
ion, however, it is said, has in a ms
iorty of cases, served as a lever i
forcing acceptance of the commission
reports. Such bill would be passe
and utilized before any strike whic
might be called by the employees eoul
actually get under way and in th
hope that it would prevent it.
To assist in settlement, should
strike arise, a bill increasing the men
bership of the interstate commerC
commission from seven to nine men
bers with authority to divide int
groups, is practically agreed on.
U Means of extending OF federal pOy