The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-08-22

n1ttee, pointed out raat tpe pIe9f-
dents position in Suu1moning repr:
sentatives Of a large number of work
ingmen 20 the White House without
others present for discussion Of
labor problem stood unparalleled.
In his talk TO the men the president
explained his feeling that strike
= ust be avoided at any cost. He then
said that after reviewing the situation
thoroughly with the small committee
reI resenting the employers and the
employees, he had drawn up plat
which he though was fair to ootn
sides. and which he hoped would u
accepted by both. /
The president declared he believed
in the principle OF the eight hour day,
and that he thought the greater part
OF the people of tie United States hell
a similar view.
Regarding the collateral issues the
president admitted t::ct he was at
loss to say how they should be set
tied. If the question Of overtime and
other problems were left to him, h.
said, he would have to ask for a com
mission to help him to decide what
would be fair.
Can Be Decided Fairly.
He added that in his belief there
yere enough honest men in the
United States to decide these ques-
tions fairly to both sides and that
thew would do so if called upon.
When they left, the men Iere in
vited to shake hands with the presl-
dent. When about half of them had
done so, W. S. Garter, head of the
enginemen, noticed Mr.. Wilson vino
ing occasionally as husky empioye
accustomed to your kind Of grips"
"Just touch the presidents hand
men," Mr.. Carter said. "He IS IN
accustomed to yocr kind of grips"
The brotherhood men were pleased
over the presidents plan and while
leaders declined to forecast the ac-
ton of the men when they vote o.A
this tomorrow, everywhere the feel
ing existed that they would approve
i Overwhelmingly.
Every preca-ltion was used to pre-
vent any save members Of the broth
erhood from obtaining admission TO
the various meetings today both at
the hall and the White House. Spe'
ciaI guards were placed on all Oh
the fire escapes, windows and stair
ways of the hall and the doors were
closed before the meeting began. Ar
the White House, brotherhood men
carefully identified every man in the
meeting before the president spoke.
The presidents decision to inVitH
the railroad presidents to the Whit
House was reached after he had De
come convinced that the committee
cf managers here would not consent
to the eight hour day plan.
The railroad presidents will see tne
president at 1870 tomorrow morn
ing and at that time he will explain
to them in detail his plan and make
practically the same speech which h7
delivered to the employees today.
Fairfax Harrison, president of tn:
Southern railway, Joined the officials
aere. and word was received that
John H. Peyton, president OF the
Nashville, Chattanooga & st. Louis
lad left Nashville for Washington
Other officials are expected tomorro"
from Chicago.
William Jennings Bryan, it develop
Ell today, has sought unsuccessfully
to settle the dispute by the appl1ca-
ton of his temporary truce peace
plan. having telegraphed pleas to
heads of the various bTotherhoods
and the president, asking that it be
put into effect. 1t would provide for
truce of one year during which
time the contentious of both sides t.
the controversy should be investigar
ed thoroughly by commission and a
settlement attempted on the findings
OF the commissioners.
When Mr.. Wilson sees the railroad
presidents tomorrow the committee OF
managers who have been conferr1ns
with him all this week. will not be
present It was decided late tonight
that the president should lay his plan
fully before the executives OF the