South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-08-24
Accept EiJht-hOur Principle
But Insist on Commission
to Hear All Future
Wage Disputes.
WANT GOVERNMENT TO
FAVOR HIGHER RATES
Demand Practical Assurance
of Increased Revenue to
Meet New Costs 0CCa-
stoned by Charge.
International News service


WASHINGTON. Aug. 24--Through
maze Of conferences. proposals
and counter proposals. the negotia-
tons 10 avert the threatened rail
road strike this afternoon gradual
~ worked their way toward a con
clusion. After a tentative basis OF
agreement. worked out by the com
mittee OF railroad presidents Ia
charge OF the negotiations. had been
communicated To Pres't Wilson and
10 the representative of the workers
four brOtherhoods. il became ap-
parent that the negotiations had as
sumed definite form, and a spirit OF
optimism pervaded the parties TO
the controversy. The belief was
general everywhere that strike
will be averted
Basis - satisfactory.
The tentative basis Of agreement
satisfactory to the president and
in substance believed 20 be satisfac-
tory 10 the workers. was submitted
10 the general conference OF rail-
road presidents by the committee
which framed it, While the com
mittee believed the plan would bs
finally accepted by the conference.
it was apparent that the opposition
10 the settlement basis, particularly
among executives from the western
roads would be spirited and would
cause delay.
While the conference was consd-
erilg the committees proposal.
D 1fEa Ia a.
eight-hour day 10 the men. and
agreement for federal legislation for
investigation Of future strike de-
mands and an understanding that
the roads were TO have increased
rates 10 pay the Increased wages.
Prest Wilson sent Judge ". l.
Chambers. Of the mediation board.
TO interview the railroad heads
Judge Chambers conferred with
the railroad presidents briefly and
imm ediately hurried 10 the hotel
where the brotherhood representa-
tives have their headquarters.
After a brief conference with the
brotherhood chiefs he returned ~
the White house. IT as understood
that the men were satisfied with the
dent at once called the sub-commit-
tee Of railroad heads Presidents
Holden. willard and Iovett 20 the
white house. Thereupou the gen
eral conference OF presidents ad-
journed until later ia the day.
After the railroad presidents con
ferred briefly with the president.
both the white house and the two
parties to the controversy declared a
basis for NEGOTIATIONS had been
reached and that the situation was
improving
The basis Of settlement was salts
factory in substance 10 Pres't Wilson
and the white house announced that
the president expected the final re-
ply OF the railroad heads 20 his set
Element plan later in the day. The
executives committee prepared a
statement OF the tentative settle
ment for presentation 20 the general
conference Of executives. This
statement vas submitted at noon to-
day 20 the general conference. Only
the approval OF the general confer
ence was required 10 make the sug-
gested basis a matter Of negotiation
between the railroad heads and the
president and IN was believed that
the executives would accept the YER
dict Of their committee without UNI
due discussion.
Here j. Basis Proposed.
The international News Service is
able 10 present the general outlines
OF the agreement reached by the ex-
cutives' committee. This agreement
has been informally suggested 20 the
president and the executives have
been given 20 understand that the
president is willing 20 continue ne
gotiations on this basis IL provides.
That the railroads shall al once
accept the principle OF an eight
hour day and shall put the prin-
cipIe in operation at once IN traan
service.
That the president SHAH assure
the railroad heads that by Jan. l.
1917. a statutory federal commits
sion either the interstate commercs