Evening star., 1916-08-19
TRANSPORTATION HEADS
AGAIN AT WHITE HOUSE
Garry Statement of Attitude Which
Is Read by Hale Holden,
a. Spokesman.
PLAY FOR PUBLIC OPINION
Evidences Indicate That Both Sides
Are Attempting to "Backfre"
the other-Delay Asked
Part Of Plan.

President Wilson's terms to the
railroads of the United States for
a settlement of the strike that
threatens nationwide disruption
of business were outlined in a
statement given out at the White
House today just as the presi-
dents of thirty-three of the largest
railroad systems went into confer
ence with the President.
This statement made by the
President, using the personal pro-
noun II" throughout, tells for the
first time just what the President
has proposed as a method of set
tlement both to the presidents OF
the four big brotherhoods and the
general committee of $40 chair
men representing the employees,
on the one side, and to the man
ayers committee of nineteen and
the thirty-one railroad presidents
who came to the White House
yesterday by invitation of the
President.
The fact, which became known at the
White House today, that the President
had prepared this statement three days
ago, before the railroad presidents had
conferred with him and stated their
attitude, shows that the President has
been anticipating their rejection Of his
proposal The fact that 1t was given
out as the conference today started.
when 1t had been announced that the
railroad officials were preparing q
statement for the public. shows that
the President wants to let the public
learn his views and attitude first.
Right to Expect Acceptance.
In stating that he believes his pro-
posal is thoroughly practical and
entirely fair" he says: Il believe the
public has the right to expect its ac-
ceptance"
The President states his belief:
That the eight-hour day, sanctioned
by the Judgment Of society" should De
accented as a basis Of wage.
That the demands for extra time
made by the men and contingent pro-
posals should be postponed until py
practical experience facts can take the
place of calculations.
That in the meantime he should get
from Congress authority to appoint a
small investigating committee, which
would investigate and report the facts
to Congress without recommendations
That then, upon due notice, either
side to the present controversy might
terminate the present agreement ana
seek readjustment.
Still Unyielding.
Still firm in their determination not
to accept President Wilson's proposal
for the settlement of their wage con-
troversy threatening nationwide
strike, the railroad presidents went
into their second conference with the
President at the White House at 11:S0
O'Clock this morning.
After an hours conference with
President Wilson the railroad pres
idents left the White House with
out giving any indication that they
had abandoned their stand for arbi-
tration, but with assurances that the
were not ended.
The railroad executives, 1t Is under
stood gave no final answer to the Pres
ident's proposal They VIII deltber-
ate today, and see President Wilson
again, probably on Monday.
Not Hopeless, But Serious.
"rhe situation is not hopeless. but
very serious" said one of the most
nrominent railroad presidents. after the
nresidents what they call the strongest
= meal ever made to any business lead
ers. He told them that the nation is to-
day facing criucai con1n for on. ana nondttoa MHt
must be given at once and then the prin-
cinle can be worked out
He told them that WINE eney are de,
n arbitration authorized. He doubts IL
Congress at this time would pass COM
nulsory arbitration law. Aorcing the rail-
road employees to submit tner demands
The railroad presidents were plainly
Impressed by what the President has said.
They left the White House In serious
frame Of mind.
Puts onus Upon officials.
Tn his address to the ofiicials Presi-
dent Wilson said:
..If a strike comes the public will
know where the responsibility rests. It
will not be upon me-"
The President informed the officials Z
that they were discussing An impracti-
cal thing in the present crisis when
they mentioned arbitration. for the en-
nIoyes would not accept arbitration.
md he had no way OF forcing them to
accept It
President Wilson declared he was the
.pokegman for 100. .00o, 900 people. every
ne Of whom had deep interest In the
,ressnt situafion. His only ee3sse he :.