Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-08-28
President TO Get
final word FROM
R. R. Heads TODAY
BY ROBERT J. BENDER

WASHINGTON, o. c., Aug. "a
President Wilson's conference with
tho railroad presidents committee Of
eight, at which the final" terms Of
the railroads were TO be presented in
written form, was deferred today
from 10 o'clock to 2so o'clock this
afternoon.
President Wilson today took up
what may be his last weapon against
nationwide industrial paralizatlon.
He put Congress to work on the rail-
road strike situation.
Indicating the belief on the Presi-
dents part that chances OF averting
the threatening bleak between the
railroads and railroad brotherhoOds
have grown slender, the call on Con-
gress is said TO be not only for legis-
lation TO aid in preventing strike,
but to handle the strike should 1t oc-
cur He was said to be ready to
appeal to Congress for legislation
along the following lines:
/. Such as might aid m the proven
ton Of a strike If all his own efforts
fail
2 Providing an adequate legal meth
Cd for immediate settlement should the
strike actually occur.
3. Provisions for handling the situa.
ton, keeping the trains moving. and so
forth, while the strike is actually in
force.
Details Of such legislation occupied
the President, Senator Newlands, chair
man of the Interstate Commerce Com
mittee, and Secretary Lane, the Presi-
dents confidential advisor in the cabi
net. throughout yesterday.
After a final conference with Lane
last night and after Lane in turn hal
talked over the plans with Newlsnds,
the President was informed that legIs-
lation such as he had in mind, could be
put through Congress at this session, ac-
cording to the best Judgment of New
lands, who said he had made careful
canvass.
The President then made an UMPIRE
cedented trip to the capitol and dis
cussed his plans with Senator Kern,
Democratic floor leader. They talked
In the hall, outside the finance com
mittee room, where the President
found Kern, until a ianltor had light
ed the room reserved for the Presi-
dents infrequent visits.
n speculation. doubt and uncer-
tainties marked the general strike
situation Saturday, Il may be said
that today's developments prom
ised in rapid order a clearing up OF
the now dangerous and perplexing
situation. The President is to see
both sides today.
The railroads today expected to
ignore his eight hour proposal for
peace and stand pat for arbitration.
The employees, unless they were pre-
pared with some entirely unexpected
move. we're certain to order a strike.
All manner OF reports were cur
rent today as to the Presidents next
move. The indications were however
that the President would go before
Congress Immediately and urge the
passage OF a measure drawn along
the lines of the Canadian disputes
act. providing for investigation of all
industrial disputes by a commission.
Such a commission would have the
power OF forcing mediation and in
vestigation, but would have no power
OF enforcing its findings. Public
opinion, however, II Is said. has in a
majority OF cases, served as a lever
In forcing acceptance Of the COM
MISSIONS reports. Such a bill would
be passed and utilized before any
rtrike which might be called by the
employees could actually get under
way and in the hope that IL would
prevent t.
To assist in settlement. should 9
strike arise. a bill Increasing the
membership Of the Interstate Com
imerce Commission from seven to nine
members, with authority to divide into
groups. Is practically agreed on.
Means Of extending Federal powers
TO keep the railroads running In cast
OF a strike have proved a real stumb
ling block and nothing tangible hal
been determined Il is known the
President has no desire to have the
government take over the railroads.
Another report today was the Pres
ident might appeal to the brother
hoods TO postpone any contemplated
strike action for sufficient time to en-
able him 10 get through Legislation
that would make a settlement Of tn
dispute possible without endanger
ing the country's welfare.
There was considerable talk amoni
Senators and Congressman today IA
voring the passage of an eight hou
day law, covering not only railroa
employees but the employees OF all cor
porations and industries. The Pres
ident has been strongly urged b
some 10 take this step. BY Telegram
and letter hundreds Of suggestions ar
coming to him daily from every sourc
conceivable. offering means OF settle
ment. (which are bound TO be salts
factory to both sides"