The Washington times., 1916-08-28

TO the brotherhoods. the latter. It is
thought. would not feel justified In call
inR a strike.
Leaders Hold Many Conferences.
All today. conferences were in prog
ress among the Presidents advisers
planning the steps to be taken.
Franklin X. Lane, Secretary Of the
Interior. whose experience as a for
mer member of the Interstate Com
merce Commission has been drawn
on by the President, was in confer
ence again today with the Democratic
leaders of the Senate.
1t is regarded as probable that the
morrow. at which time a quorum
will have been assembled In both
branches.
In addition to the suggestions
above for legislative action. there is
growing talk among members OF Con-
gress In favor of an amendment to
the present law, prohibiting railroad
trainmen from working more than
sixteen hours, reducing the maximum
hours Of work to eight.
The brotherhoods are bitterly op-
posed to such action, which would
eliminate their opportunity for over
time earnings, but Just the same the
movement Is growing in Congress.
u
poets of legislation looming up. both
the railroads and the employees have
cause for alarm.
Public May Take Hand.
1t Is regarded as not inconceivable
that In the event OF "a strike. public
.opinion would be aroused to q point
where 1t would demand legislation
which would empower the Interstate
Commerce Commission to regulate the
wages paid. as well as the freight and
passenger rates charged by the rail-
roads.
Undoubtedly the brotherhoods have
been surprised at the firm stand OF the
railroads. They had believed that the
Presidents espousal OF their cause
would be of sufficient weight to. force
a concession from the railroads. and
that a strike would not be necessary.
It il understood that many of the
brotherhood members who voted affirm
atively in the so-called strike vote did
30 with the explicit promise from their
leaders that a strike would not be nee
essary.
Holds Numerous Conferences.
Details of legislation occupied the
President. Senator Newlands. chairman
of the Interstate Commerce Committee.
and Secretary of the Interior Lane. .>the
Presidents adviser In the Cabinet.
After a final conference with Lane
last night. and after Lane In turn mad
talked over the plans with Newlands.
the President was informed that legis,
lation such as he had in mind could
Be put through Congress at this session.
according to the best Judgment OF New,
lands. who said he had made a careful
canvass.
The President than made an unpre.
cedented night trip to the Capitol and
pla aanafnr
Democratic floor leader.
For Eight-Hour Law.
There Is considerable talk among
Senators and Congressman today favor
ing the passage of an eight-hour law.
covering not only railroad employees.
but the employees Of all corporations and
industries. The President has been
strongly urged by some to take this step:
BY telegram and letter hundreds Of
suggestions are coming to him daily
from every source conceivable. Offering
means of settlement (which are hound
to b ,ss ea%p * f the eGth 9aloaS
tiyes and managers this morning the
opinion was held that the delay in
the White House engagement was
due to a desire ,, BY President sd .v Wilson On
the sxecutives' proposal. as reported
A representative OF the executives
natly denied that a copy had been
transmitted to the President. but
added: There Is no reason why he
should not know its details X he has
been reading the papers.
This representative said that he
thought the exact text of the state.
ment might meyer be public.
Various executives referred to tho
Abatement of President Rea, of the
Pennsylvania, which declared the ex-
ecutives preferred a strike to sac
rifice Of the principle OF arbitration.
Is containing their own views.