The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19

Ih1rty-One presidents or the ranking officials of the great railroads received from the President this afternoon his plan for the adoption of an eight hour lay, regular pro rata pay for overtime Ind creation of federal commission b investigate collateral issues. They Eold him they would like to consider he question and would report back to- morrow with the committee af mana kers which has been conducting ne- sotiations.
 BROTHERHOOD AGREE
 At the same time the general commit ee of $40 representatives of the employees were approving the Presidents plan by
 large majority and soon after the rail- oad officials left the White House the Four heads of the railroad brotherhoods lotified the President of the vote. The Bmployes committee will remain here at he Presidents call.
 The railroad officials revealed clearly heir opposition to MT. Wilson's plan and indicated that they would press further their offer to rbitrate. It was reported, however, the Officials might suggest a counter proposal based on the acceptance of the eight hour day and arbitration of all other points instead of the investigation by federal commission proposed under the Presidents plan. It was stated positively hat the officials had reached no definite decision.
 In case the President finds no hope of ettlement tomorrow he will probably 3ummon to Washington some of the pow Erful financiers of the country serving s directors of the railroads. Adminis- Eration officials said tonight the Pres dent was determined a settlement should De reached if possible before the repre- |entatives of both sides now here leave Washington.
 STATEMENT OF ROADS
 In their formal statements the railroad officials insisted on arbitration on the ground that if they gave in this time 1t would mean the abandonment of the principle of arbitration and because they feared if they granted the eight-hour day with it's consequent added expenses without resort to arbitration it would prejudice any appeal they might make ater to the interstate commerce com nission for higher freight rates
 On the surface the threatened strike appeared nearer today than at a..:y time since the negotiations at the White House began, but administration off ,ials continued to believe that eventually khere would be an agreement 1 The railroad presidents and officials who came here in answer to invitation from the President conferred with him ! ess than an hour. After MT. Wilson had Explained his plan Hale Holden, president bf the Chicago. Burlington and Quincy, Acting as spokesman. informed the Pres dent that the officials present could speak only for their individual roads, hnd that the conference committee of managers was the only body with power ko accept or reject proposals.
 BACKING MANAGERS
 It was indicated plainly that the off, hcials were inclined to stand behind the previous attitude of the managers com nittee in refusing to accept the eight hour day, and that the proposal was be- ieved to be impracticable. The President was told, however, that the plan would be given further consideration, and a re- port made to him tomorrow.
 MT. Wilson explained to the railroad of- ncials that he had drawn up the plan because he thought it fair and because he believed way must be found for hverting strike He urged them to demonstrate a spirit of concession and to
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