The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-14
RAIL PARLEY
REQUESTED BY
UNION CHIEF
Warren S. Stone, Grand Ex-
ecutive of Engineers, Asks
Conference with Executives
on Behalf of Unions.
100 ROAD HEADS MEET
(By Associated Press)


CHICAGO, Oct 14.-Warren S.
Stone, grand chief of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers, today re-
quested conference with railroad
executives in session here in behalf of
the six big railroad unions, which
have voted to strike.
Officers of 16 railroad unions went in
session shortly before noon at one
hotel, While more than 100 railroad
presidents met at another.
The railroad presidents notified Mr..
Stone by telephone, that his letter
would be considered at their meeting.
Immediate reduction of freight rates
on agricultural products for a trial
period of from so to 80 days, pending
further wage reductions, was one of
the proposals presented to high rail-
road officers at the conference of the
association of railway executives to-
day. A general policy of wage and
freight rates reductions was the DOM
mating topic under discussion. Reali-
zation that the legal steps necessary
to lower wages and transportation
charges would delay any benefits to
agriculturists.
According to railroad officials a tenn
porary reduction of rates on farm pro-
ducts was thought to be possible with
comparatively little delay. A tenta-
tive reduction of eight per cent was
suggested. Meanwhile the roads
would take up wage negotiations with
their employees, and if unable to OBJ
tain an agreement to reductions would
take the question to the railroad labor
board.
Crisis More Acute.
The crisis was rendered more acute
than ever when the labor board hand
ed down decision providing for rest
or action of piece work. The railroad
presidents were jubilant while union
leaders feared the effect on their men.
! more than so per cent of whom have
, already voted to strike, rather than to
accept further wage reductions or
rules which they oppose.
| The railway executives, 1t is re-
| ported, also will consider a proposal
to seek an amendment to the trans
/ portation act. transferring to the Inter-
state commerce commission the wage
adjusting authority now invested in
the railroad labor board.
| The railway executives declined to
indicate what definite steps were un-
der discussion for proposing further
| wage reductions, which under their
plan would be necessary before ship
i pers could expect freight reductions
| The July wage reduction of II per-
cent ordered by the railroad labor
| board, the executives declared, mere
ly STAYED off bankruptcy for many
roads.
Thinks Vote Bluff.
The strike vote of the brotherhoods
and shop crafts resulting from this
wage cut it was declared by the exc
cutives, was but force to ward off
any further wage reductions. Some
of the union leaders admitted that the
vote did not mean a general walkout
of the railroad employees, although It
was reported that October 80 had been
tentatively agreed upon by the union
heads for sectional strikes of the em-
ployes if strikes were finally decided
upon.
THE men do not want to quit
work." said w. G. Lee, president OF
the brotherhood of railway trainmen.
The officers of the various unions do
not want to declare walkout, because
they know such action would be fool.
hardy"
i The special committee of the Asso-
citation of Railway Executives which
conferred last week, with President
Harding and other government Off
cials on the railroad situation will
present the plan to lower freight rates.
;. The committee included President
Cuyler, representing security holders:
Samuel Rea, president of the Penn
sylvania system; President Smith, OF
the New York Central; President Hale
Holden, of the Burlington, and Julius
Jruttachnitt of the Southern Pacific
board of directors.