Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-07

Washington, Feb. 6.--President Will
son today refused the request Of rail-
road labor union representatives that
he investigate railroad executives
claims before the railroad labor board
that the carriers must adjust wages
or face bankruptcy. He also declined
TO submit the matter to Congress.
The president set forth his position
Of the appeals made to him in a tele-
gram address jointly to two Of the
railway labor unions and to the Assoc
citation of Railway Executives. who
also had sent communication to the
! White House.
Confidence was expressed By the
president that all questions dealing
with railroad labor and management
might be left safely to the two bodies
entrusted under the transportation act
with such matters-the Railroad Labor
Board and the Interstate Commerce
. Commission. He accordingly informed
the labor and carrier representatives
that he was submitting copies Of tel
egrams received from them to these
two bodies as 1.-The only action deemed
neces sary."
The presidents telegram follows
II have carefully considered the sew
eral kilograms addressed to me deal
ing with the labor questions and rail-
road management now undsr consider
alton by the Railroad Labor Board in
Chicago.
1.-THE transportation act approved
February %. 1920. to greater extent
than any previous legislation places all
questions dealing with finances and
railroad management and necessary
rates under the jurisdiction of the In
terstate Commerce Commission, hence
all MISUNDERSTANDING the expense aof
operation, the necessities Of the rail-
roads, and the amount Of money neces-
sary to secure the successful operation
thereof are now under the Jurisdiction
of the commission. At the same time
the act placed all questions Of dispute
between carriers and their employees
and subordinate officials under the ju-
risdiction of the Railroad Labor Board.
now sitting in Chicago. This board
, is composed of three members corsti-
| tutingthe labor group, representing the
employees and subordinate officials Of
the carriers; three members constitpt-
ing the management group, represent
! ing the carriers; and three members
constituting the public group, repre-
J senting the public. So far as am ad-
vised. the board may be relied on to
give careful and intelligent considera-
ton to all questions within its jurisdic.
ton. To seek to influence either Of
these bodies upon anything which has
been placed within their jurisdiction
by Congress would be unwlse and open
/ to grave objection. -
"It would be manifestly unwise for
me. therefore. to take any action which
would interfere with the orderly pro-
cedure of the interstate commerce COM
mission or Of the railroad labor board;
and all the matters mentioned In your
| telegram are within the Jurisdiction OF
one or the other Of these bodies: and In
their action think we may repose en-
tire confidence. 'a
I'm view of the foregoing It does not
seem wise to comply with your sug-
gestion that the matter be submitted
| 10 the SOuSTtSS anu Tho only dCIIOu
deemed necessary is to submit copies
| of the kilograms received from, you and
from the representatives Of the railroad
executives to the interstate commerce
commission and to the railroad labor
board for such action as these bodies
may deem wise in the premises this
will be DONE" @
The telegram was addressed tod. F.
Anderson. vice president Of the Inter
national Association of Machinists.
Thomas De Witt Cuyier, chairman Of
the Association Of Railway Executive
and e. r. Cradle. president of the Uni
ted Brotherhood Of Maintenance En-
ployes and Railway Shop Laborers.
The reply of the President to two
kilograms sent by the railroad labor
unions and to one telegram addressed
to him by the Association Of Railway
Executives is understood to have been
based on recommendations Of Secretary
Of the Interior Payne whip still acts as
director general of the railroads. The
kilograms were referred to Secretary
Payne when they were received early
last week and his recommendations
were forwarded to the White onse Fri.
day.
The railroad workers in their first
telegram. signed by the heads Of seven
unions and transmitted through l.. NJ.
|