Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-08-24
Rumored Withdrawal of Army
From Mexico and Hint From
White House Indicates
Drastic Move.
WILSON EXPLAINS HIS PLAN
President Says Country Had
Right to Expect Acceptance
Checks Strike Blame
Up to Owners.

son today the 80 railroad presidents
left the White House without giving
any indication that they had aban-
doned their stand for arbitration, but
with assurance that the negotiations
We're no ended. The trainmen yester-
day approved the presidents plan.
Ihe railroad executives gave no final
answer to the presidents proposals
put VIII deliberate on them today and
see President Wilson again probably
Monday.
Cant Blame Me"-Wilson.
In his address to the officials, presi-
dent Wilson said:
If a strike comes the public will
know where the responsibility rests. 1t
VIII not be on me-"
A report that General Funston has
recommended prompt withdrawal from
Mexico of the Pershing expedition
caused a stir here today. Secretary Of
Wan Baker refused to discuss the re-
port would neither deny or confirm it.
RMS led many to infer that the report
will be well founded.
State department officials refused to
shed any light upon it. Recently Cen
eral Funston recommended that, pend
ing an adjustment of the threatened
railway strike, no more troops be sent
to the border. The question now being
asked is whether officials are consid-
erlnG drawing the Pershing force to
his side of the border, in order to
utilize part of the army, if need be, to
keep trains moving. Officials would not
admit this, bat there is much specu-
lation here over it.
Hint to Rail Heads.
The fact President Wilson last eve
ming called before the minds of the
railway presidents the action of the
French pnUnrDr ont IL, talS,,nr o,,o, +l,o
operation of the railroads in q labor
crisis several years ago, is looked on
mere. as meaning that if q strike &C.
ours tho government will see to it
trains are run to carry mail and food
and. if need be, it is declared, troops
VIII be used to man the trains.
Up TO Railroads.
Whether a nation wide railway strike
can be aVerted rested largely on the
answer which railway presidents and
managers were to give to the presi-
dent on the settlement plan proposed
by nm yesterday, and accepted by the
employees committee. 1t was not be-
HeVed the railroad heads would accept
the presidents suggestion that they
grant an eight-hour day with prorata
pay for over time, and submit other
issues to investigation by a federal
commission. Hope existed, however, in
the belief that the presidents might
'NNN ''hAt e &'ljibtI ptoDoSdI, SUCH DIS,
for example, that they allow the eight
hour day principle, but place collateral
questions before a board of arbitration.
instead Of the suggested federal COM
mission. This plan. it was pointed out,
would conform to the railway manage
ment& i4Gislence On the principle of
arbitration.
AS yet President Wilson has not
mentioned the possibility OF govern
ment ownership of railways in case of
a strike, White House officials and
those who have conferred with him as
sert. lie is said to be determined. how
ever, not to accept from the railway
presidents a rejection Of his plans as
final.
TIE railroad presidents, now num-
bering SO, went 10 tt White House
conference without their managers,
announcement. They held tie view
that they had only authority to speak
for their own roads and We're not vest
ed with authority to speak for all the
lines which the managers committee
had.
The predominant report was that not
all the presidents We're in favor of
holding out against the presidents
proposition to The point of a strike.
Principle at Stake.
Hale Holden, president of the Bur
lington, again acted as spokesman and
declared that the principle at stake was
much larger than wages and hours in
volved. aud that the railroads believed
they owed it TO themselves to continue
in their present position.
While the railroad presidents were in
conference with President Wilson today
the president gave out a statement out
lining his plan of settlement and say
ing:
TT seems to me a thoroughly practic-
nj and entirely fair program and
hink the public has the right to eX-
fect its acceptance
Wilson Reviews Effort.
President Wilton's statement follows;
81 have recomnoended the concession
of the e~ight-hour day-that is the sub
stitution OF an eight-ko:lr day for tlt
present 10-hour day in all the existing
practices and arguments. | made this
recommendation because believe thF
concession right. The eight-hour day
now has sanction OF the judgment o.
society IN it's favor and should be
adopted as q basis for ase ever
where the actual woris to he uoits car
not be completed within eight hours
"Concernine the adjustments whicf
should be made in justice to the rail,
ani tuetr Stockholders. in the
payments and privileges TO which Their
men are now entitled Of such adjust
ments arc necessarily there is a wids
divergence of opinion.
The railroads that have already
adopted the e~ight-hour day do no
seem to he at any serious disadvantage
in respect to their ccst of operation
as compared with the railroads tina
have retained the 10-hour day, n cal.
culations IS to the cost OF the change
must, if made now, be mad witlou
regard 10 any possible administrativ
economies or establishments.
"Only experience can make it Ger.
tain what arrangements would bt
fair and equitable either on behalf o
the men or on the behalf OF the rail
roads. THAT experience would be {
definite guide to the Interstate Com
mercc commission, for example, in de
ternl.ning whether, IS 4 consequence
of the change, il would be necessar,
and right to authorize an increase o
,,.ies Tor the handling n carrying o