The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-20
GENERAL FREIGHT
RATE REDUCTIONS
NOT YET ASSURED
/. C. C. Expected to Cut
Charges on Grain, Hay
And Lumber.

omcial Washington last night
turned its attention TO the confer
ence Of railroad brotherhood leaders
with the Railroad Labor Board,
which opens in Chicago today. II
the conference is successful from
the administrator viewpoint
namely, that the orders7of the board
shall not be fIouted by the employees
or the railroads-withdyawal Of the
strike orders is expected. On the
other hand. IL the rail labor leaders
stand pat, 1t is conceded prepara-
lions must be made to face a strike,
or attempt such compromises as
may be possible 10 avoid q strike.
Intimatfon from oficIEl sources
that rare reductions might be ex-
pected within a day or two, It was
believed yesterday. rested upon the
assumption that the Interstate
Commerce Commission would an
nounce a reduction in the rates on
grain, grain products and hay, and
later a reduction in rates on hard
wood lumber. Plans for a general
reduction in rates have not yet
reached the point where they may
be made effective, it is believed.
Roads Plan Reductions.
Dependent on future wage reduc-
tions, 1t is said. the railroads have
plans for eliminating a substantial
part of the increases in rates mace
effective in August. 1920. In the
eastern part of the country. IL is
Understood. tentative plans have
been drawn up for a reduction equal
to about II per cent on basic COM
modities, such as coal. Reductions
in other rates may range from s
to 10 per cent
In a statement issued yesterday
Attorney General Daugherty said:
There is nothing the Department
Of Justice has to say for publica-
tion upon the proposed strike situa-
tion in addition to what said yes
terday. OF course, the department
is giving considerable attention to
the matter. The interest that. the
department has primarily is the in
terest and welfare Of the whole
American people. The American peo-
pie, you know as a whole, is our
only client"
Defrees Answers Stone.
Joseph H. Defrees. president of
the Chamber OF Commerce OF the
United States, declared yesterday
that commercial organizations OF
this country, in the event Of a strike
would take the lead In their COM
| munities in maintaining the ma
tional life. Defrees also took occa-
sion to reply to Warren S. Stone
who declared Tuesday that the ma.
tional chamber Is taking an unfafr
position in the situation.
Mr.. Stone" said Mr.. Defrees
substitutes vituperstion and Sian.
der for fact and logic. The pro.
priety OF such a course / leave
without comment for the Judgmen,
of all citizens. Mr.. Stone mentions
the valor Of the railroad worker:
in the late war. 1t is not ques.
| toned. Right conduct at one time
is not a suficient basis for wrons
conduct at another. No amount o.
valor can confer license for law.
lessness upon a later occasion.
No war record can justify any in.
dividual, group or class OF American
| citizens in taking the country bN
the throat and coercinE IL That 4,
lawlessness and brutality, and will
be so characterized by ever,
thoughtful and patriotic American n
including the rank and fle Of Mr.
Stones own organisation.
Defends Railroad Attitude.
mo Justification can be found b,
Mr.. stone In the conduct Of rail.
roads toward the Railroad Laboi
Board. No railroad has threatened
wufully 60 cease active Operation
ana when the board advanced
wages Of the railway workers an,
the Interstate Commerce Commits.
ton Increased rates accordingly
the public paid and did not boycoti
railroad transportation. II the rail-
roads or anyone else take any 40.
tion comparable 70 the action Of the
leaders OF the railroad workers n
calling their strike. they will b,
stiRmatized as unmistakabiy as IN,
persons responsible for the present
threat OF national calamity.
Tt should be clearly understood
that i am not voicinE an individual
opinion. I am expressing in effeci
the position which has been taker
repeatedly by hundreds Of organ.
iEations In the membership Of TIN
akornhar -