The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-08-17
VIVA, the Threatened Railroad Strike Means.

washington, aug. IO.-PreSl0enI
Wilson decided to postpone further
conferences with the representatives
of the railroads and employees on the
threatened railroad strike until Thurs
day, when he will receive the general
committee of $40 wOrkmen in the east
room OF the White House.
Meantime tie committee OF manag-
ers here and the general committee
of the employees will meet to discuss
tentative plans now before them.
The president, through Judge VIII
liam L. Chambers of the federal board
Of mediation and Cancellation will keep
in close touch with the representa-
tiyes of both sides. No engagement
has been made for the managers COM
mittee. but it is probable that the
president will see them also.
Substance of Presidents Plan.
The plan on which the president is
working is to put into effect the eight
hour day and have a federal commits
sion investigate collateral issues. De-
tails Of the plan have not been work
ed ont, but il was said TO be possible
that if the railroads conceded an
eight-hour day the employees would be
urged to give up their demand for
time and one-hah for overtime.
The proposed commission would not
have power to enforce any decision,
but would investigate all of the ques-
sry in, no Nd
make recommendations
The halt In the negotiations has
been caused primarily by the fact that
the brotherhood leaders, who have
been meeting with the president hare
no plenafy powers and have TO refer
all important questions back TO their
general committee in New York
President Wilson decided lime
would be saved and better results
achieved if the $40 members of the
general committee were brought 10
Washington and net him directly
Therefore, it WAS decided 10 hold
general meeting at the White House
Thursday
The committee OF managers re-
manned in session almost continuously
discussing the conferences with the
president and the tentative Sugges-
tons outlined. II was stated that the
negotiations are in such form that
definite decisions may be made by
both sides before the end of the week
Hope of Break in Deadlock.
Administration officials would not
predict the outcome of the negOtia-
tons because everything depends Oh
employees 1t was stated thai for the
present the situation was at a dead,
lock, but that hope for peaceful set.
uement had not been abandoned
Among the railroad managers there
was discussion of a proposal for some
sort Of a permanent commission to
consider all railway wage disputes
and that it should begin with the pres
ent one. Whether it should be semi
private tribunal organized by agree
ment between the railroads and the
men, was not made clear, but there
seems to be some sentiment in favor
OF having it created by act Of con.
gTess. somewhat in the nature of ar
enlargement of the present board OF
mediation and concilf@tion- 1t was
Lot made clear whether President
Wilson was considering the idea OF
not
The Brotherhood leaders would not
say whether compromise might be
reached by putting an eight-hor dap
into effect for six months for q trial
and allowing pro-rata pay for overtime
As has been suggested, bat they said
thai such system would have de |
cdded advantages over the enc under |
which they are working