The New York herald., 1921-10-21

not bluhing and we know that they had
no real plan to offer"
Tho only signed statement from a
union head was from Mr.. Stone. 1t
simply said:
The situation is unchanged. and
1 suppose l might add that I don't
expect one angle of IL to be changed
even in heaven. For il I get there I
expect still to have hundred news
paper reporters chasing me around
for signed statements.
Warren S. stone. president of the
engineers; William G.. Lee. president
of the trainmen. and w. 8. Carter. pres'-
dent of the firemen. returned to Cleve-
land tonight. l.. Il. sheppard. head of
the conductors, left for his organiza-
tion's headquarters I'm Cedar Rapids,
Iowa While r. c. Cashen took mid
night train for Buffalo. where Is the
headquarters OF the switchmen's union.
The executive committees of the engi-
neers, fremen and conductors now are
in session in Cleveland. The commit
tees of the other organizations will meet
there Monday.
Unions to Do No More.
While the scene OF the strike activities
shifted back to Cleveland with the end
ing of to-nights conference, union
man. close to the brotherhood chiefs said
from Washington.
THE LABOR Board has. of course. for
warded full report of the conference
TO Washington" he said. "If there are
further steps toward conciliation they
will be taken there. The unions will do
nothing further
The eleven standard" unions which
have voted for strike but have not
called one. merely marked time to-day
The maintenance OF way chairmen
held several Informal sessions. The only
inkling OF their attitude being a remark
by n high official that this organiza-
ton is going to let the other fellows start
the ball rolling before doing any push
ing" They will meet again tomorrow. as
will the shop crafts and other organiza-
tlons. but there is little likelihood OF a
decision before Saturday or Sunday, 1t
was said.
Chiefs of these organizations expressed
keen interest in the Labor Board con-
ference but refused to comment on II.
Have Not Given UP Hope.
Members of the board said that while
the conference had ended and no i'm
mediate plans had been made II still was
possible to hold further meetings with
the labor men before the date of the
scheduled walkout arrives.
"The board is determined to go as Ear
as possible under the law" one member
said. "and If it is unable to accomplish
anything it will be the fault OF the law
rather than that of the board. We are
satisfied that some Governmental agency
viii find solution of the situation as
every possible angle of the matter Is
undoubtedly being investigated down at
Washington"
None of the board members would In
dicate an optimistic view of the days
proceedings. Some members were in
clined to the view that even the issu-
ance OF strike order was tantamount
to a violation of board decision and
that the brotherhoods could properly he
cited to appear before the board for a
formal determination as to whether Its
orders had been defied.
''The entire board feels that II is mach
better informed on the situation and
we hope that some good may yet
result from the boards inquiry" said
this member.
The afternoon meeting was started
with the Labor Board. which called the
conference. presenting its plans for set
tlement OF the difficulties. These were
understood to be based on the public
group announcement In Washington re-
Gently that the strike could be averted
IL the roads reduced rates temporarily.
postponed attempts at further wage
cuts and the unions accepted the recent
1c per cent. reduction authorized by the
board.
The union presidents in the confer
cnce-W G. Lee. of the Trainn,en. w.
S. Carter of the Fircrnen, l.. Il. Shep-
pard Of the Conductors. Warren s.
Stone of the Engineers and T.. 9.
Cashen of the Swtchrnen--were said to
have told the board that the unions
"were fighting for their lives" and that
any settlement would have to be one
which waild do away with what they
termed the prevalent impression among
the men that they were being gypped.'
They found nothing In the Labor
Boards proposal, 1t was said, which
would warrant q cancellation OF the
strike order and were quoted as frankly
telling the board that the strike could
not be postponed and that only a set
tlement would keep II from taking place
as scheduled.
The board. after two and a half hours
discussion, requested tnat tne cohlef-
cnce be adjourned until p. NJ. and
Immediately despatched a series of tele-
grams TO Washington outlining the dis
cussion. The board session generally
runs until p. M. but to-day's ended al
1:30 +. NJ. .
@. W. Hangar OF the board intimated
after the day meeting that the confer
ences would run through tomorrow. but
the action of the uni.n chiefs in making
train reservations precluded this.
One union president. after confer
ence of the five chiefs. which followed
the Labor Board meeting. declared that
two lives are at stake in the present
conferences"
Tho Labor Board according to re-
ports in Washington. Is fighting for its
life and its future depends on its ability
10 settle this matter" he said. 80 are
we fighting for our lives and the future
OF railroad labor depends on our ability
TO protect our employees in this situa.
ton"
Labor Leaders nficxible.
Board members said that the labor
chiefs remained inflexible in maintain
ing that the present fight was a fight
for the life of their organizations. The