South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-08-19

The president demanded that the
railroads concede the proposition al
ready accepted by the men and per
NIT the overtime question and the
contingent proposals of the railroads
to be passed upon by a congressional
commission. The president insists
that such commission shall ascertain
the facts and report, but shall make
no recommendation
1t was accepted in official circles
that the presidents statement was
designed TO hold the railroads re-
sponsible if they shall continue TO
refuse to accept his plan and insist
on arbitration of all the questions at
issue.
The presidents statement was as
follows.
81 have recommended concession
of an eight-hour day-that is, the
substitution of an eight-hour day
for the present 1O-hour day i'm all
the existing practices of agreement
between the railroads and the men.
I made this recommendation because
! believe the concessions right. The
eight-hour day now undoubtedly has
the sanction Of the judgment of So
ciety i'm its favor and should be-
adopted as a basis for wages even
where the actual work 10 be done
cannot be completed within eight
hours.
Concerning the adjustment which
should be made in justice 10 the rail-
roads and their stockholders In the
payments and privileges to which
their men are now entitled (if such
adjustments are necessary there isl
a wide divergence of opinion.
The railroads which have already
adopted the eight-hour day do not
seem to be at any serious difficulty
in respect of their cost of operation
as compared with the railroads that
have retained the 10-hOur day and
calculations as to the cost of the
change must. if made now, Oe made
without regard TO any capital or adj
ministrauye economies for read
justments only experience can
make it certain that rearrange
would be fair and equitable either
on behalf Of the men OF on behalf of
the railroads That experience
would be a definite guide TO the in
terstate commerce commission. for
example. in determining whether.
as a consequence of the change. IL
would be necessary and right 10 au-
thOrize an increase Of rates for the
handling and carriage OF freight. for
passenger service is not affected.
Il therefore propose that the de-
mands for extra pay f0r overtime
made by the men and the conun-
gent proposals of the railroad au-
thorities be postponed until facts
shall have taken the place of calcu- /
lauons and forecasts with regards
to the effect OF change 10 the /
eight-hour day; that, i'm the mean
time. while experience was develop
ing the facts. I should seek. and II !
need be. obtain authority from the !
congress 20 appoint "A small body or /
impartial men TO observe and thor |
oUghly acquaint themselves with the |
case. with a view 20 returning 20 |
congress at the earliest possible time /
the facts disclosed 1y their inQulr- /
les but without recommeudatiOn Of I
any kind and that it should then be /
entirely open 10 either or both par |
ties 10 the present controversy 20 I
give notice OF termination Of the /
present agreement with a view 20 /
instituting inquiry into suggested /
readjustment Of pay or practice.
This seems TO me thoroughly /
practical and entirely fair program 1
and I think that the public has the /
right 10 expect its acceptance
When the railway presidents Left I
the white house following their con- |
ference with the president. which /
lasted s. minutes, they learned for
tia 6rz1 HmA OF Lha Dresid1l2z--