The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-17
WAITING FOR COMMITTEE

WAITING FOR COMMITTEE
The conference between the Presi-
dent and Judge Chambers was the only
formal meeting of the day in connec-
ton with the situation. There were no
White House conferences with the man
ayers and employees pending the arrival
of the brotherhoods' general commit
tee from New York and the drawing up
of a definite plan by Mr.. Wilson. The
managers spent the day in informal
meetings and conferences at their
hotel. The employees representatives
rested at their hotel, saying they had
nothing to confer about among them
selves.
The President is depending largely
! on public opinion to force a settlement.
Should the present method of procedure
seem about to fail, it was thought prob
able today he would take the public
into his confidence.
Discussion of the creation of fed
eral commission to investigate the rail-
road situation conferred largely today
around the contention of railroad Of
ficials that such a commission would
be able to get at all the facts and be
able to prevent recurrence of the
present crisis. The President has taken
| up with both sides suggestions as to
the best way to make up a commission
which would be satisfactory.
The principal reasons advanced by
the managers in insisting on arbitra-
ton were their belief that the whole
principle of arbitration is at stake and
points made during the consideration
of their recent petition for a per cent
increase in freight rates. The inter-
state commerce commission intimated
at that time that when railroad Of
ficials gave wage increases of their
own accord and without arbitration
they must bear the consequences.
ROADS HAVE DATA
During the day the managers COM
mittee had experts at work compiling
data on the cost to the railroads of an
eight hour day. This data they planned
to present to the President to uphold
their position.
All day petitions from unorganized
railroad workers protesting against a
general strike continued to arrive at
the White House. The President also
received letters and kilograms from
many individuals and organizations
urging him to do his utmost to prevent
a tie-up of the country's railroads.
Members of Congress kept in close
touch with the situation, although 1t
was understood no determined e11ort
toward congressional action would ne
taken unless recommended by the Presi-
strike should fail.
Brotherhood officials were part1cu-
llarly cautious about committing them.
selves as to what form of settlement
nrobably would be agreeable to the
committee of $40. They are anxious
THAT any agreement shall result from
the unanimous vote of the whole com
mittee and not appear to pc iorceo
upon them by the subcommittee.
With a view to giving the entire COM
nfittee the fullest opportunity TO DISCUSS
| the Presidents proposal or any other
propositions which might arise, the
brotherhood leaders tonight rented nall
! for conferences The first meeting VIII
| be held tomorrow afternoon at l o.clock
before calling at the White House. Lead
ers plan to hold another meeting after
the conference with the President.
| Most of the brotherhood leaders VINO
have been comforting with the President
II was declared, would be willing to nego-
| tate all issues to the controversy except
| the guaranteed eight-hour day Win II
assured them beyond all doubt, 1T was
said. they would be inclined to accept any
/ fair proposition for settling collateral IS
sues. Even the proposal OF pro rata pay
for overtime, which would mean oe-
/ crease of from 20 to rs per cent to en-
l
| appeal to them. On all hands 1T was re-
| iterated that the original proposal OF time
! and a half for overtime merely was IN
\ cluded in the employees demands for the
purpose of enforcing the eight-hour agree
ment should one be entered into
1 w. S. Carter, head of the hremen''
| brotherhood. who went to New York las
night to confer with the general commit
tee. carried no suggestions from the EN-
nIoves' conferees here as to what theil
attitude should be- His was mission o
| exclamation and not argument brother
hood leaders insisted. He discussed thu
general situation with the men but made
no effort to advise them as to what they
should or should not do.
| While most of the committee accom-
panied Mr.. Carter to Washington tonight
an advance guard from the southern ant
southwestern parts Of the country, wher'
the eight-hour day Is In effect on mos
of the railroads, preceded him here sooi
after receiving their summons from thei
leaders.
A. B. Garretson and w. s. Stone, head
Of the conductors and engineers brother
hoods, respectively, conferred with Sam
uel Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, today.
"Just looking at the federation's new
building" Mr.. Garretson explained.
l The $40 delegates from New York scat
tered to various hotels upon arrival her
blu: later most of them called at the hote
where the brotherhood leaders have es
tablished headquarters. Many were ac
= companied by their wives, and all carried
their complete baggage, expecting to g