The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-22
Walkout Set for Today
Would Ignore Order
of Labor Board.
TOLD TO HALT
PLANS TO QUIT
Leaders on Both Sides
Agree to Attend New
Conference.
Especial 70 TAs w.IAinrtsa HsnId.,

J.
tional and Great Northern Railway,
hitherto a comparatively unimpor-
tant line traversing Texas terri
tory, stands out as the most promi-
nent line in the United States.
Upon this line will probably be-
decided the vital question Of which
Is the greater. the United States
through its authorized agencies. or
the organized rail labor unions
Trainmen on the Texas line have
been authorized by their chiefs to-
inaugurate an independent strike
tomorrow, beginning at noon. The
United States Labor. Board has vir-
tuaIly ordered that all rail strikes
be held in abeyance pending an
eleventh hour conference TO be held
here next wednesday in an effort to
prevent the threatened strike.
Important Questions Raised.
The leading question tonight is.
what the trainmen on the Texas
line will do? And ~ they strike
In the face OF the Federal orders
to maintain the status quo. what
/
Federal action in such event estsb-
Iish a precedent that may entirely
alter plans for the main army"
walkout Of October 307
On one point the government and
the union chiefs are agreed II the
International and Great Northern
men 80 out tomorrow they will be
ignoring the order Of the United
States Labor Board. issued today.
admonishing rail chiefs and union
chiefs TO halt all strike prepara-
tions until after next Wednesdays
conference and whatever decision is
reached at that meeting.
Criticize BOsrdNs Action.
The order Of the Labor Board
created considerable excitement on
the Sart of labor chiefs. who were
assembled In Cleveland. All OF
them agreed 20 attend the confer
enee. but they criticized the action
OF the Labor Board in ordering re-
auctions in the wages Of railwork-
ers. and paying no attention 70
wages and conditions IN other In
dustries. Discussing the general
aspects Of the case, President Lee
| cf the trainmen said the right Of
men TO strike had been conceded
states Supreme Court.
Another probable test case.
which adds to the perpleNities ot
the transportation crisis, developeo
/ when President Lee was notlhtd
that the fremont and Gulf Rail-
way, operating in Louisiana, nal
posted notice Of arbitrary change
in working schedules and declared
for an open shop.
Harding VIII Back BOARD.
IF the Southern roads get away
with this" said one Of the union
chiefs, 1t means the open shop on
all other NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. The
PENNSYLVANIA system, which has
L already started a strong fight for
il. The importance Of action in ths
case Of this Southern road cannot
be overestimated."
: One thing seems certain - that
|. President Harding will exert every
ounce Of Federal persuasion and
diplomacy to avert rail ue-uP.
The labor board has been informed
that every agency Of the govern
ment will be used. IL necessary, to
back up its decisions.
|, Rail executives here announced
they would attend. the conference
next Wednesday. All Of them
sverred they were abiding strictly
by the order to suspend at once all
preparations for the strike. THIS
means, IL is said, the employment
Of men TO take the places Of striE-
ers and similar precautions.
Many Seek Rail Jobs.
1t is said every railroad once
has been swamped with applica-
tions from men anxious TO secure
work In the event Of a strike
there seems little doubt the roads
will be able to operate most Of their
rains, but considerable disorder and
sabotage would be expected in the
earlieE stages Of the battle.
Business men, as a rule. prefer
that the strike be put into effect
and the matter settled deisIvely At
once. They argue that any COM
promise reached now would leave
both sides with sore spots and
: awaiting an opportunity to renew
the battle. The Chicago Associa-
tion Of Commerce, representing the
business sentiment Of Chicago and
the Middle West, sent a telegram
to President Harding urging a rail
strike rather than the acceptance
Of a compromise.
/ says u mons hcCepN NNNs
The message said rates cannot oe
reduced unless the rail unions ac-
cept q reduction in wages and the
abolition OF wasteful rules and con-
ditions, and that any action pre-
venting proper reduction 81 trans
portation costs will prove harmful
to the entire country.
The Illinois Federation OF Labor,
in annual session, pledged its moral
support to the rail unions in the
event Of a strike. The rail unicns
have a strike fund Of $4,000, 600.
which means 81 for each member
for one day only. The Illinois Fed
Grafton also calls upon the United
States to recognise the Russian So
Wet and open business relations
, with the Lenin regime.
Would Abolish Labor Board
Charles NJ. Schwab. who is at
, tending the mining congress in Chi
! cago, is emphatically in favor Of
abolishIng the United States Labor
Board.
Il am in favor Of wiping out the
board. want Il completely abOl-
ished," said Mr.. Schwab. NO one
respects its decisions. IL the board
cannot secure the enforcement OF
Its decisions, Of what use is ity-