Arizona republican., 1916-08-19
[Republican A. p. Leased wirel

WASHINGTON. August 1S.-Presi- dent Wilson's plan for settlement of the threatened nation wide railroad strike was accepted today by the represen- tatives of the employees and taken un der consideration by the officials of the railroads with many indications that they would record it tomorrow. The word came from the managers to- night however, that they had reached no definite decision.
 With the situation thus apparently at d deadlock the only hope in the situation that the railroad officials might suggest counter proposals form ing the basis of a settlement. or that one side or the other might recede from its present position.
 Thirty-One presidents and ranking officials of the great railroads received from the president this afternoon his plan for the adoption of an eight-hour day. regular pro rata pay for overtime, and creation of a federal commission 10 investigate collateral issues. They told him they would like to consider the question. and would report back tomorrow with the committee of man. agers which has been conducting nego- tiations.
 At the same time the general com mittee of $40 representatives of the employees were approving the presi- dents plan by a large majority and soon after the railroad officials left the White House the four heads of the brotherhoods delivered to the president a letter notifying him of the vote.
 While the railroad officials would make no formal statement, they re- vealed clearly their opposition to Mir. Wilson's plan. and indicated that they would press further their offer to ar bitrate all the points at issue.
 In spite of these developments, it was reported the officials might sug- gest a counter proposal based on the acceptance of an eight hour day and arbitration of all other points instead of the investigation by federal com mission proposed under the presidents plan. It was stated positively, how ever. that the officials had reached nc definite decision on their future course
 In case the president finds no hope of settlement during his conference with the railroad officials tomorrow he probably will summon to Washing ton some of the powerful financiers oi the country serving as directors of thu railroads. Administration official. said tonight he had by no means giveT up hope Of effecting a settlement anC was determined that it shall be reached if possible before the representatives O both sides now here leave Washington
 In their informal statements the rail rad officials insisted on arbitration or the ground that if they gave in thi time it would mean the abandonment of the principles of arbitration and be cause they feared if they granted tn eight-hour day with it's consequen added exUenses without resort to arbi tration it would prejudice any appea they might make later to the inter state commerce commission for highe freight rates.
 On the surface the threatened strik appeared nearer today than at an time since the negotiations at tn White House began, but administratio officials continued to believe some con sessions would be made and that a agreement eventually would b reached
 The group of railroad presidents an officials who came here in answer { an invitation from the president con ferred with him less than an hour
 After Mir. Wilson had expressed h plan, Hale Holden. president of th Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. actin as spokesman. informed the presidei that the officials present could spea only for their individual roads, and tn; the managers committee was the on body that could agree to the prt posals.
 The president was told. howeve that the plan would be given furth, consideration and a report made
 him tomorrow. Tn a matter of su, far-reaching importance. the officia said they believed there should be nasty decision.