Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-28
President Seeks Basis for
Next Step if Deadlock
Is Continued.
LOOKING TO CONGRESS
Government Forces at Cap.
ital Work With Feverish
Haste to Prevent Tieup

Washington. Aug. 2s.- President
Wilson early to-day sent word TO
the committee Of eight railroad en-
eeufiYeS. who viii formally pre-
sent the railroads counter prop0s-
ais, that he would receive them at
2:So o'clock This afternoon instead
Of 10 o'clock this morning. This
was determined upon in order that
the president might hold further
conferences on legislation on the
strike situation for presentation to
congress.
". g. Lee. head of the train
men. today issued o statement de-
earing that the brotherh0Ods had
no intention Of arbitTating the
eight.hour work day.
The committee of eight conferred
with President Wilson an hour and
afterward Hale Holden, as spokesman,
said that a statement would be given
out by the executives inside an hour,
but that it would not be a final state
nent.
While the president was comforting
with the railwa-- executives confer
ences were resumed at the department
Of justice. Senator NeWlauds. Com
missioner Chambers and representa-
ives Of the Interstate commerce com
mission were closeted again with act
ing Attorney General Todd, discussing
the legislation which has been pre-
pared in tentative draft.
Dr. d., L. 50. l.
ing the deadlock between the rail-
roads and their employees as discussed
IN conference today was as follows:
An eight-hour law for railroads, to
become effective at d date far enough
in the future to give the railroads OPP
portunity TO prepare for it.
4 law patterned after the Canadian
act which creates q commission Of in
yestigation and prevents lockOuts or
strikes while an industrial dispute IS
being investigated
Expect Railroads Refusal.
This plan was discussed by the pres
ident with his party leaders in con-
gress as the basis for the next step
after the railroad managers have for
maliy announced the refusal to ac-
cept the plan Of settlement the presi-
Gent previously proposed.
They were expected TO do this at
-:30 o'clock this afternoon at a White
mouse conference.
Meanwhile, congressional leaders
gave up hope OF adjournment this
week Senator NeWlands and Commits
sloner Chambers of the federal media
uon board conferred today with Acting
Attorney General Todd about the leg
siatlye program, but all denied that
any legal measures for preventing a
strike had been discussed.
While the president has not finally
gwen up hope of bringing about an
agreement through direct negotiations,
ne IS going forward with his prepare
ions for going before congress with
as plan for legislation II was under
$1,000 today that many proposals OF
alherent form have been presented to
NE railroad executives through the
White house. but that they have all
oeen net with the statement that the
railroads stood for arbitrating the
whole controversy.
President VIII Reveal Details.
II all the negotiations fail and the
president goes before congress, prob
aoIy tomorrow or Wednesday, it is said
He viii reveal the details OF all ne ne
gotiations
!. Al 4 O'Clock this afternoon and after
ais conference with the railway execu-
ives. ives President Wilson plans 10 go to
ge capitol again TO confer with the
eemocratIc steering committee Of sen
ton
ne four brotherhood heads issued
:. statement replying 10 President Rea
the Pennsylvania, who last night
..4oe an announcement that rather
:, ,aeh give up arbitration the roads pre-
erred to face strike
me statement charged the Penn
sssNsnia with Inconsistency, in that
~ t@o years ago It fought the efforts Of
:. = shoD men to organize and arbi-
udte II also declared that as the
elhlfolliBg interest in five smaller
.oaos u has refused them representa-
,D3I OF the managers conference com
sllt'ee and that if arbitration were
sfted upon it would not apply 10
laese roads
congress May Intervene.
resident Wilson's negotiations for
ting the threatened nation wide
s@+shay strike are tp the last stage