Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 203, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1916 — KAIL HEADS FRAME NEW PROPOSALS [ARTICLE]

KAIL HEADS FRAME NEW PROPOSALS

Secret Conference Drafts Reply to Wilson’s Plan for Averting Strike. Washington, August 23. —An important conference at which the railway executives may commit themselves to a definite line of action was in progress tonight continuing the session of presidents and managers held this morning. No conclusions regarding acceptance of President Wilson’s plan to avert a nation-wide railroad strike had been reached, according to a statement by President Holden, of the Burlington, and chairman of the committee of eight.. The feeling prevails in the capital that the next twenty-four hours will bring a definite decision from the rail chiefs as to whether they will concede the eight-our day as demanded by the brotherhoods or will insist that the whole dispute be submitted to a board of arbitration. The railroad employes committee showed such marked signs of unrest today at the delay of the negotiations between President Wilson and the railway executives that the leaders of the men were alarmed and openly axpressed fear of their ability to hold them much longer.

An employes’ meeting this morning was thrown into an uproar by speeches of a minority which demanded immediate action unless the roads accept the president’s plan. But the leaders succeeded in adjourning it before any vote could be taken on any of the various proposals. They said afterward that while the pressure for immediate action came from a minority it was strong, but they believed the majority would be willing to give the president a little more time. Some of the men urged that most of them go home, leaving the brotherhood heads with authority to call a strike if the railroads do not accept the president’s plan.