Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-16
LITTLE PROGRESS
MADE IN EFFORTS
TO AVERT STRIKE
Two Days of Conferences
End With Settlement No.
where in Sight.
BASIS is FOUND FOR
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS
Railroads Concede Principle of
Eight-Hour Day to
Employees.
SUMMON GENERAL COMMITTEE
Nothing More Can BE Done Until
Union Men Decide on
Answer.
SUMMON GENERAL COMMITTEE
Nothing More Can BE Done Until
Union Men Decide on
Answer.

dent Wilson's effort to bring the rail-
leaders together in sumo form OF set
tlement OF the differences which
threaten nationwide railway strike,
after two days Of conferences, has
progressed only to the point where a
groundwork for further negotiations
has been laid
Hope of arbitration of all issues
waned to-day, but the situation was
frightened by the possibility of a set.
tlement by the railroads concedng the
principle of the eight-hqur day, and
both sides settling collateral issues
By some form OF negotiation as yet
undetermined
SEND WORD TO NEW YORK
FOR GENERAL COMMITTEES
After communicating with President
Wilson Tonight, the employees SUBJ
committee sent word to New York for
the $40 members of the general com >.
mittec to come to Washington. They
are expected here on Thursday, and
probably will see the President on
Friday. The managers committee will
confer with him again tomorrow.
he White House during tho day merely
tated that the discussions still were
II progress. and that no report could
&c made on progress.
The first. issued by Secretary tn.
nulty. after the President had met tho
abroad managers during the forenoon,
.ollows:
The President spent an hour and a
lin n h 10. t,,1 TO-
| ives OF the railway management Az
err the conference. he said 1t was I'M.
possible as yet to report on the result.
All he could say was that a very can
did and honest discussion was in prog.
ess about n practical basis OF settles
mcnt."
Late in the day, after the Presi-
tents meeting with representatives OF
the employees, he made this statement:
There is no change. There is an
earnest effort being made to work out
n settlement"
DIRECTS HIS ENERGIES
TO OBTAINING EXPRESSIONS
Whcn 1t became clear that arbitra.
tion OF the entire problem probablv
never would be agreed to, but that
the railroads might concede the prin.
cipie OF the eight-hour day and dis
pose OF other issues by some form ne
negotiation, the President directed hjs
energies to obtaining expressions from
poth sides on how negotiations cou,d
be carried on. Direct conferences ,n,
inquiry by an investigation commits
sion were suggested, and the Presidents
'nd1cated his willingness to appoint
such commission himself
IL WAS understood that the EMPLOYEES,
representatives offered no suggestion on
THIS feature. The railroads were re.
ported to be ready to concede tho prin.
ciple of the eight-hour day on condi.
ton that all collateral issues ba
thoroughly investigated by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission or soma
other body.
administration officials refused tn
predict tonight what the outcome
would be. and the President was undcr-
stood to be uncertain whether a strike
could be avoided. The White Houso
conferences will be continued to-mor-
row, but 1t was not believed that n
crisis would be reached before Thurs
day In the meantime, the managers
and employees will communicates win,
the interests they represent. The de.
cision TO send to Now York for IN,
general committee OF the railroad EN-
pioyees was reached because the SUBJ
committee here is without power q,
reach Important decisions without ref
erence to the men in New York.
SOUNDING SENTIMENT
ON EVERY PHASE
Thus far the President has not at
tempted to bring the two sides together
on any concrete blanket proposal. Hs
is sounding sentiment on all phases OF
the situation, in order to have the case
fu!ly In hand before making a final
effort to settle the problem. Neither
have the representatives of either sida
finally turned down any suggestion ex-
cept arbitration and they have sew
eral under discussion which will be
takep up again with the President.
For time to-day there was pro.
nounced pessimism among the en-
ployecs' representatives. Suggestion of
investigation by q commission then was
brought forward. and its reception
aroused new hope that satisfactory
solution might be found
President Wilson devoted most of
his day to conferences with the man-
ayers and tho employees. seeing both
sides separately, as on Monday. and to
a meeting with Judge William Ia
Chambers. OF the Federal Board OF
Mediation and Cancellation. So
Managers for the railroads continued {
meetings at their hotel for discussion \
of the situation Representatives OF tia
employees, however, held no conf4r.s
ences, save for Informal conversations
T. /. 9 4 u. -