Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 205, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1916 — Railroads Grant 8-Hour Day; Ask Arbitration on Wages. [ARTICLE]

Railroads Grant 8-Hour Day; Ask Arbitration on Wages.

The settlement of the crisis between the railroads and their employes which seemed so near the first part of the week is apparently back to its former condition and the bringing to an end of the crisis seems as far off now as ever, and the railroad laborers are becoming disgusted with the slowness and threaten a walkout soon if matters are not brought to a satisfactory close by the railroads soon. The union heads call the latest offer of the railroads owners impossible and assert that they will not accede to the demands now offered. Following a series of stormy sessions Friday the presidents of the roads agreed to make a counter proposal to President Wilson today conceding, the principle of the eight hour day, but demanding an arbitration of the question of wages to be paid for such day. President Wilson’s original propsoal provided that the present pay, which the men get for ten hours’ work, should be given them for the reduced hours and overtime at pro rata pay. The brotherhood chiefs say that they will not accept this compromise. They assert that they will strike first, and they point out that they ace ready to order the men to quit their jobs. They even have the strike order printed, with only the date of the issuance missing, and they claim to have converted all their resources into cash and quickly convertible sesurities and that the totaL amount available to care for the strikers is $15,000,000. The action of the railroad presidents was in consequence of several events which transpired during the day and afternoon. The spokesman of the brotherhood called at the white house this morning. They told the president that they are having great difficulty in restraining the 640 chairmen in Washington who believe the situation is being toyed with by the railroad executives, and hold that the only thing to do is to go back home and order the strike.