Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-08-19
PRESIDENT TELLS
Continued from Page One.)

that before the final crisis has been
reached, the railroad managers win be
asked to the White House to indicate
whether they will accept or reject the
president IS plan.
| There is strong indication today that
rather than reject it and precipitate
strike, they will ask for more time and
further conferences.
The president s intimation that the
interstate commerce commission might
be expected to give a very fair con-
sideration to rate increases, if the eight
hour day change is made, is one of the
things the managers will try to clear.
The president closed the conference
with 80 minute address to the presi-
dents. He said that it is o "condl
tion, not principle" which is a,
stake in the present negotiations. 1t
would be unfair and impracticable to
insist upon arbitration when the men
have repeatedly refused it and when
there is no system or law to compel it,
he added.
Not Acting as Judge.
He said he could not act as Judge,
but only make suggestions. He offered,
he said, what he believed was practi.
cal means of meeting the situation and
feet
When the commission has bean IN.
nointed II can SEQ how tho nlan rorts
and then tbe real facts in tho oaso vii
come to LIGHT he said pand;nc an in
yestieation bv this commission tbe
nresident said he was faced hv q w;do
difference of opinion on the part of
the men and the managers as to the
task OF applying the eight hour day
principle to railway operation and that
he himself was obviously unable to
Judge whlch contention was right.
While speaking the president paced
back and forth In front of the men,
stirred by the situation confronting him
and showing plainly the strain he has
undergone the last week. He declared
he would not be the court in this matter
that the people of the country were
the judges and that when the % naked
truth IN the situation is laid before
them the blame for any crisis will be
placed by the people and will not fall
upon him.
AT the conclusion of the conference,
one Oh the railroad presidents, who
diagnosed the SITUATION as mot hope
less, put very serious, SAID the execu-
tiVes would remain IN washington over
sunday ana possibly longer.
Inc president, he sald, has asked
them Tor flnal decision ON his propo-
sltion ana they are preparing to tormu-
iate TINS ana lay 1t before him before
they leave.
The pracidanf'o pncitinn
At l1.45 n ,clock tho nresident ;ssued
the following statement from the White
House. outlining his nosit;op in tbe
strike situation.
~ have recommended the concession
of an eight hour dav that is the snh-
stitution of an eight hour dav at pres.
ent for the 10 hour day in all the ex
isting practices and agreements. I made
this Recommendation because I believed
the concession right. The eight bonr
day now undoubtedly has the sanction
of a Judgment of society in its favor
and should be adopted as n basis for
wages even where the actual work to
be done cannot be completed within
eight hours.
concerning the adjustment which
roaus ana thelr stockholders IN the pay
ment ana privileges to which their men
are now entitled lf such adjustments
are necessary there is wide dlverg-
enee OF opinon, Inc railroads which
nave Already adopted the eight hour
gay 40 not seem 10 be at any serious
disadvantage In respect OF their cost of
operation, as compared with the rail
roads that nave retained 10 hour day,
ana calculations as to the cost of the
change must, II made now, be made
without regard TO any possible admins
tratlVe economies OF readJustments.
only experience can make 1t certain re-
arrangements would be fair and equit-
aDie eitner on pehaif of the men or ON
pehaif OF the railroads. That experience
would be Definite guide to the inter
state commerce commission, for example
IN determination, whether as conse-
quence OF the change 1t would be neces-
sary and rlght to authorize an in
crease OF the rates for the handling and
carriage OF freight for passenger serv-
ice is not affected.)
Railroads Should Accept.