New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-03
Railway Union
HeadsOverride
Strike Demand
Proposed Compromise Calls
for Acceptance of Wage
Cuts and Reopening of
Negotiations With Roads
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

CHICAGO, July 2.-Danger Of gem
eral railway strike disappeared to-
night, following two days of confer
ences among the heads of various rail-
way unions over the r. per cent wage
cut recently announced by the United
States Railroad Labor Board
However, while it was indicated that
1900 leaders now here would accept
the reduction on behalf of 100000
railway employees throughout the coun-
try, it will not be an unqualified ac-
ceptance. The conferences will be con-
tinued over tomorrow, thus giving the
officials an opportunity to listen to
Secretary Of Labor James j. Davis.
Mr.. Davis is at Mooseheart, where
officers of the Loyal Order of Moose
elected yesterday in the anual conven-
ton of the order at Toledo were to be
installed to-day. Mr.. Davis is an off,
Ger of the organization.
Willing to Talk on Mediation
While on his way to Chicago thi.
morning he was approached by dele
cation of railway union officials. He
assured them that if called he would
be glad to come to Chicago to consider
how mediation might be effected.
How to reject the wage reductions
ordered and yet avoid a general strike
that would prove disastrous not only
to the transportation lines, but to the
business Of the country as we'll, is the
problem before railroad union leaders
meeting here. Until late tonight they
labored in conferences and group meet
ings in an effort to reach a solution.
The reports from divisional chair
men as to referendums taken by some
of the organizations, and expressions
of opinion as to the sentiment of the
workers in others. while not made pub
lie. are said to be overwhelmingly
running from to IL per cent, and in
some few cases as high as 20 per cent.
Three courses of action are open.
One is to reject the cut, which virtually
would mean general strike: another
KS to accept the reduction without
qualification, which is considered as un-
likely in view of the temper of the
workers, and the third is to accept the
reductions temporarily under protest
and endeavor to reopen negotiations
with individual roads.
Opinion among leaders of the "Big
Four brotherhoods appears to indicate
a.
ton: Action taken by the big brother
hoods is usually followed by the minor
organizations. The danger spots are
among the shop crafts, maintenance of
way and some of the lesser unions.
Radical Sentiment Overcome
Reports coming from the executive
sessions being held in various hotels
by the railway union heads indicate
shat compromise proposition will be
submitted to the railway executives,
The plan, it is understood, will be to
abide by the order of the Labor Board
temporarily, but to open negotiations
with individual railroads for better
terms. This compromise was reached
after several lively tits with the ex-
IRENE radicals, particularly among the
maintenance OF way representatives.
The pay of these men was slashed
about 20 per cent, and they were strong
for an Immediate strike.
If the labor chiefs go ahead with
their compromise plan it will virtually
ignore the Labor Board, Members Of
the board announced that their decis-
ION looping $400.000,000 from ahc pay
rolls of the country's railways is final,
as far as they are concerned.
1t is expected that the vote of the
federated shops crafts on the reduction
VIII be announced late tonight or to-
morrow. 1t is understood to be over
whelmingly against acceptance, but the
leaders are much opposed to calling
a strike. They can withhold strike
order and have warned all members
of the unions that if any man quits
without such an order he automatically
loses his union card. The leaders make
it clear there will be no strike. nor
Will there be any runaway action,