RAILWAY EMPLOYES QUESTION EIGHT-HOUR
OFFERPRESIDENT SEEKS SETTLEMENT
Washington, Aug. 15. The bur
den of concessions in bringing about
an adjustment of the threatened
railroad strike appeared to have
swung around from the railroads to
9 the employes this afternoon.
After the railroad managers had
been in the White House for more
than an hour -and a half, it was
learned-that they have agreed to ac
cept the basic principle of the eight
hour day, but demand that the ques
tion of overtime pay be subjected to
a more far-reaching investigation.
The conference of the managers
ended at 10:40. They would make
no comment upon leaving. It was
announced that the president would
see the employes at 3 o'clock this
afternoon.
After the conference with the
railroad managers, the president is
sued a statement that it was impos
sible to report anything as yet as to
the results; but that a very candid
and honest discussion was in prog
ress about the practicable basis of
settlement. '
According to one of the railroad
men who attended the conference,
the following is their position:
"We accept the principle of the
eight-hour day. However, the eight
hour day is so obviously and natural
ly a part of the overtime question
that the two will have to be handled
as one problem."
In accepting the basic principle of
the eight-hour day, the railroads do
so on the belief that neither the pres
ident nor the employes would ex
tpect the eight-hour day to be put
into effect until the whole subject
has been inquired into and a work
ing program fully constructed.
The question of whether the em
ployes would yield on the point of de
laying actual application of the new
program until it has been subjected
to thorough investigation or will re
gard it as a subterfuge on the part
of the railroads to delay strike ac
tion remains to be seen.
The railroads countered with the
suggestion outlined after working
most of the night At times it is said
there was strong feeling among some
of 'the managers that the president
had attempted to place the burden
of concession upon them. He had,
it is understood, told them in con
ference yesterday that the eight
hour principle was the one upon
which they should try to work and
suggested they attempt to formulate
the ground work of a settlement on
that basis.
ELECTRIC LINES TO CARRY
FREIGHT IF STRIKE COMES
The electric lines will savethe cit
ies from starvation in case of a pro
longed railroad strike, traction men
said today.
Lines connecting centers of pop
ulation with farm districts will pro
duce a condition that has never be
fore figured in a railroad strike.
The electric interurban lines of the
country are mobilizing, and informa
tion from traction centers all over
the country is that they are pre
pared to double and triple their pas
senger and freight service.
Chicago can get milk and farm
products from Indiana, Michigan,
Wisconsin and down-state Illinois by
the electric roads.
RAIL CRISIS HALTS MOVEMENT
OF NATIONAL GUARD
Washington, Aug. 15. Because of
threatened railroad strike, the war
department today suspended indefi
nitely proposed movement to the bor
der of between 25,000 and 35,000
mobilized troops militia in state
camps last week ordered to the Mexi
can line.
The order was issued on recom
mendation of Gen. Funston.
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