The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-08-20
SITUATION
was considered possible that some of
the powerful directors Of the roads
would be called to Washington.
Strike Talk CONTINUES.
CONTINUED from page l, first sec.)

was considered possible that some OF
the powerful directors Of the roads
would be called to Washington.
Strike Talk Continues.
Both among the employees talk
Of arrangements for a strike Contin-
ued, and for different reasons both
sides thought if it came it would last
less than week.
While President Wilson still was
advising the railroad executives tell
ing them they faced "a condition not
a principle" his statement to the
country reviewing his plan and char
acterizing it as a thoroughly practic-
able and fair program was given out
at the White House. In the state
ment he urged adoption Of the
eight-hour day because he believed
the concession right" suggested the
creation by Congress of a small body
Of men to investigate the results and
urged the abandonment Of the de-
mand for time and half over
time pay by the men and the con
tingent proposals by the railroads.
Insists on Arbitration.
Mr.. Holden insists on arbitration
In his reply to the president because
at is essentially the common right
Of every citizen Of whatever Condi-
tion in life to be heard" and because
experience has put the right to
claim arbitration as a method OF set
ting such controversies beyond
question"
He argued that the eight hour day
is impracticable in railroadinE, and
said the roads were willing for the In
terstate Commerce Commission or
any DISTINGUISHED body to arbtrate
the whole question. "The demand
for the eight hour day is in reality,
he declared, "onIy an indirect plea
for an enormous increase in wages, "
and said that in this instance for
those demanding a change to refuse
to submit their demands to arbitra-
tion is indefensible."
Lee Makes Statement,
W. G. Lee head Of the brotherhood
of railroad trainmen, gave out a brief
statement tonight on behalf of the
men, pointing out that in accepting
President Wilson's plan the employ
es Surrendered very large por-
tion Of their demands, while the rail
road companies seem about as I'M
willing to accept suggestion from the
president Of the United States as they
have in the past refused to consider
requests from their employees" He
added the workmen would remain
here but would take no further aC-
ton until released by Mr.. Wilson.
The railroad officials found two
points in President Wilson's public
statement Of his settlement plan that
confused them and led to a belief that
eventually there will be an agree
ment averting strike. The first was
a hint that if the facts would justi-
fly the Interstate Commerce Com
mission might grant an increase in
freight rates and the second was a
suggestion that the eighthour day
base would be accepted only tenta-
lively and might be terminated after
Investigation by the commission pro-
vided under the presidents plan.
Shorter Day Not Justified.
The railroads all along have con-
Tended that the facts relating to pay
Of the men will not justify the eight
hour day and some of them are said
to feel that Investigation by an i'm
partial commission cannot fail to
back up that position. The compan-
les would be under additional OK
peDse while the investigation was in
progress, but in the opinion of Mr..
Wilson its work would be done ex-
peditiously and a report might be
expected in few months
The road officials evidently feel
that before decision would be
reached every opportunity should be
given other business interests to de-
eide what might be the effect on them
of an eight-hour railroad day.
There was no concealment of fact
that some of them believe many man
utacturers and shippers are bound to
register at the White House their OPP
position to this proposal and that
pressure will be exercised to have
members Of the Senate and House eX-
press to the president their convic-
tons along the same line.
No Early Decision.
Each part of the presidents pro-
posals is expected to be taken up sep
arately and the answers given TO the
White House separately This fact
and the fact that the western eXecu-
tives conditions will be received at
Washington for several days will con
tribute to the executives plan to con-
slider the whole problem slowly and
give ample opportunity for every de-
tail to impress itself upon the public
mind.
1t was after a prolonged meeting
at their hotel that the railroad pres
idents went to the White House
shortly before noon today to listen
to Mr.. Wilson'S appeal and to outline
their tentative position,
at the same time the general COM
mittee Of employees held a meeting,
but only marked time awaiting the
time OF the officials.
Dramatic Appeal.
President Wilson welcomed the
railroad officials in the Blue room,
and after Mr.. Holden had stated their
position began dramatic appeal,
which left his visitors sobered and
thoughtful. AT times strding up and
down in front of the small group and
emphasizing telling points by shaking
his fist, the president told the rail
road executives bluntly he believed
they should accept his plan
eve must face the naked truth in
this crisis" he said.
1--WE must not discuss impractical
things. We must get down TO a
basis on which this situation can be