Evening star., 1916-08-22
WOULD LET COMMISSION
DECIDE CONTINGENT ISSUES
Hope to Maintain Principle of Ar
bitration in Settling
Disputes.
DRAFTING THE REPLY TODAY
Statement Dealing With Strike Sit
uation Expected to Go to Presi-
dent Wilson Tomorrow.

Sixty railroad presidents, rep
resenting practically all the sys-
TENS of the United States, expect
to give President Wilson their
reply tomorrow to his proposal for
averting the threatened railroad
strike.
1t will be a virtual acceptance
of the Presidents proposal, car
rying the concession of a basic
eight-hour day with pro rata over
time equivalent to 20 per cent
increase on overtime work, ac-
cording to those in the confidence
of the railroad executives, but it
will carry qualifications to which
it is hoped that the President and
brotherhood officials will yield.
Possible Qualifications.
These qualifications will be some sort
of counter proposal that the contingent
issues be considered by the interstate
commerce commission or that a COM
mission appointed to consider them be
made permanent.
BY such a counter proposition the
railroad officials hope to maintain the
principle of arbitration in settlement
of all industrial disputes and to be
properly on record SO that the inter-
state commerce commission will reo-
ognize the transaction of increased
wages as not being voluntary, which
will give the roads a stronger stand
ing when they apply to this commits
sion for permission to increase their
rates.
A special committee of eight prom
inent railroad chiefs has been i'm con-
tinuous session today drafting the re-
ply to the President. When they have
the general considerations satisfac-
torily shaped and worded their report
will be read to the entire body of the
railroad officials. both the presidents and
the managers who hold the power of
attorney for the roads.
That this committee is sincerely at
II
acceptable for settlement of the con-
troverSy and that they are preparing
to meet as far as they can the Presi-
dents proposal was indicated today by
the fact that while in conference they
were in direct communication with
their boards of directors.
Some of the railroad officials said this
committee hopes to finish its work this
mittee are: Hale Holden, Chicago, Bur-
lington and Quincy railroad; w. w. At
terbury, Pennsylvania railroad; Fairfax
Southern railway; r. s.
Lovett, Union Pacific railroad; Z. P
Ripley, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
railroad: Alfred II. Smith. New York
Central railroad: Frank Trumbull.
and Ohio railroad, and
Daniel Willard, Baltimore and Ohio
The appointment of this committee.
coupled with the fact that the chiefs of
several of the largest railroad systems
were in secret conference throughout
the night and until well into the early
morning at the Metropolitan Club. was
said today to be strong indication
that the railroad officials wish to get
the matter settled one way or another
tomorrow.
Cabinet Is Confident.
While the railroad executives were
today on counter proposal
to President wilson's plan for averting
the threatened railway strike, the cab
met went over the situation fully, ana
confidence was expressed by members
that in the end the railroads would ac-
cent the Presidents plan. what as
surances the cabinet had to go on Tor
such a conclusion were not disclosed
Cabinet members agreed that II was
not feasible to hurry the railroad ex-
ecutiyes into a decision, as they had
many things to consider.
Strike Not Expected.
The general feeling among them Is
hat 1t will be settled without a strike
md that both sides will make some
.onceSsionS.
If the agreement when reached car
les with it provision for the appoint
nent by authority from Congress OF
to consider the contingent
or any other phase OF the
,it ,iation Congress stands ready to take
action promptly. All members of Con-
yress have been kept closely informed
as TO the contention or either side In
the controversy.
Congress stands ready to act imme-
lately should legislation become neces-
ary, according to members of the Sem
tie committee on interstate commerce..
20 far, however. the disposition OF the
enatOrS is to leave the matter IN inc
IA n,ls of the President, believing that
le will be able to bring about solu-
ion of the trouble which now threatens
Confidence in President.
'T have every confidence that the
President will be able to handle the
situation" said Senator Newlands of
Nevada, chairman of the interstate COM
nerce committee. today. He has just
.eturned to Washington from Maine.
vhere ,ha- has been for the last week.
mo steps are contemplated by Con-
,ress at present looking to Legislation
o aid in bringing about settlement OF
he railroad controversy" he continued.
But II any such steps become neces-
ary believe that Congress would act
Senator Newlands 10 chairman Of the