Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-23

WANT ASSURANCES
OF GOOD REVENUES
Might concede Eighth Hour Day Tenn
porariIy If Promised Increased Rev.
enues From Other Sources-Brother-
hood Men Growing Impatient and
Minority Attempts to Declare Neso-
tiations at End.

Washington, Aug. 23.-The rail-
road employees committee showed
such marked signs Of unrest today
at the delay in negotiations be-
tween President Wilson and the
railroad executives that the lead
ers Of the men expressed fears of
holding them much longer.
The employees meeting this
morning was thrown into an up
roar by speeches of minority
which demanded immediate action
unless the roads accept the presl-
dents plan, but the leaders sue
ceeded in adjourning it before
vote could be taken.
They said afterwards that while
the pressure for immediate action
came from minority 1T was
strong, but they believed the ma
jority would be willing to give the
president a little more time. Some
urged that they go home, leaving
the brotherhood heads with au-
thority 20 call strike if the rail-
roads do. not accept the presi-
dents plan. The meeting ad-
iourned to 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning.
1T is our belief" one of the
committeeman said, that the
roads are playing for time with
the president just as they have
done with us. They are tiring us
out all right and the men are
getting disgusted."
While the road executives con-
tinued deliberations on what form
Of counter proposal they shall
make to President Wilson, the
president conferred with Senator
Newlands and Representative
Adamson about the bill to increase
the membership Of the commerce
commission by two
Possibility OF passing. an eight
hour law for railroads was dis
cussrd among several congress
sional leaders but no, definite pro-
gram was evolved.
Washington. Aug. 23.-Three rail-
road presidents today reported to the
which is trying to formu'
ate an answer on behalf of the roads
to President Wilson's suggested plar
for meeting the demands Of the unior
the substance Of theil
at the White House last
light. 1t is understood that the con-
terence was for the purpose OF learn
ng how the roads could reimburse
heir treasures II they acceded to the
presidents plan.
The attitude Of the president on the
subject was not disclosed but the re.
port was considered significant as
showing in what direction the rail-
.oad heads are turning in their efforts
20 reach a conclusion.
The big committee Of brotherhood
was impatient at the
delay but w. G. Lee, head Of the
brotherhood, expressed tn.
belief that they would not be held mere
past tomorrow.
A statement issued by the employees
committee charged the roads with in.
in contending for arbitrat-
ng, tho refusing to arbtrate demands
If employees on number of minor
'oads not represented directly in the
present negotiations but said to be
by the larger lines.
Would Bankrupt Small Lines.
Lewis, w. Hill, president Of the
Great Northern railway, and one OF
he strongest opponents of the eight.
hour day, declared in a statement to-
lay that many western roads in par
:icular would have scant earnings next
year and that many would be forced
nto receivership by an eight-hour day
The men, tired of the delay, gave
'ree expression to their opinion at to.
lays meeting. The men felt that the
-ailroads show disposition to disre-
gard their sacrifice Of the demand OF
lime and a half for overtime. The
leaders decided not to is-
sue a statement. expected this morn
ng, until later in the day.
President Wilson summoned Sena.
or Newlands and Representative
Adamson. chairmen Of the senate and
house commerce committees, to the
White House this morning. It is un
he planned to discuss with
hem legislation on the railroad strike
situation. The presidents plan would
,reate a commission to investigate the
workings Of the eight hour day and
collateral issues.
Permanent Commission Discussed.
After their conference with Presi-
lent Wilson, Senator Newlands and
representative Adamson said they had
discussed the strike generally but that
10 legislation to meet the situation
lad been gone over specifically. The
ill to add two members to the inter-
;tate commerce committee was one OF
he things discussed. They also dis
.-Ssed the creation o; permanent
to investigate such con-
roversies.
It was said today that the railroad
had decided to act as a
init in handling the present situation.
The program of the railroad execu
ives was said today to deal first with
he principle of arbitration and after
ward with the eight hour day.
In administration circles it was de-
Jared that both the pres.den. and the
abroad executives seemed to be on
he way to an agreement