Norwich bulletin., 1921-10-27

Chicago, Oct 2s (By the A. P.).-The Igovernment will make it's final attempt Ito prevent the threatened general rail road strike tomorrow morning. at o'clock, when presidents, general chair men and executive committees of the five itrain service unions meet here at a con- ference reported to have been arranged at the instigation of the United States railroad labor board
 The boards investigation of the causes of the strike threat ended abruptly at 1880 tonight when the five union leaders, asked permission to make announcement to their men.
 Union leaders tonight said that the meeting tomorrow had been called at the suggestion of Ben w. Hooper, vice chair man of the board. and that they expected him to personally present final propo- lsition from the board Mir. Hooper re- fused to confirm or deny this Judge R. l4I Barton, chairman of the board, said that it's decision on today's hearing might be rendered tomorrow. and cer- Itainly would be forthcoming by the next day.
 Each of the presidents of the five transportation group unions said, how ,ever that the prospects for settlement r"certainly were no better than thes were lthis morning" while two went farther. GeCldTAHE Lhdb lAiO NASNNS than ever"
 If was understood that the board would make the following proposal to the unions tomorrow:
 That the unions suspend or call off the strike ordered for next Sunday and based on the wage cut made last July, pending decisions by the board on further wage cuts or on any revision of rules which the employes fear the roads will ask. The .1ad fhai fT- ltention of seeking 10 per cent. wage cut for the train service men in addition to the 12 per cent. slash of last July. Many roads bave indicated a desire to sbrogate time and half for overtime also.
 Throughout the hearing today the un- ion leaders insisted fear of changes in rules and fear of further wage reduc- rtions had influenced their men in voting to strike. The board is understood to be turepared to urge that this fear of some thing which may happen in the future is not sufficient grounds for a strike, and that the men cannot lose anything by waiting for those decisions to be ren- dored
 The unexpected ending of the boards hearing after little more than an hour had heen devoted to taking testimony of the railroads side followed a series of whispered leaders.
 W. G. Lee, president of the trainmen asked permission to make an announce tm ment to his general chairmen, 160 oi whom were present. He called them tC meet here at o'clock tomorrow War ren S. Stone of the engineers, l.. E Sheppard of the conductors, w. s. Cartel of the fremen and T. c. Cashen of tht switchmen made similar announcements
 TJrdc fR. M. Barton, chairman of the laboi board, to the effect that the boards de cision as to whether the unions had vio lated the July l wage cut order would b' handed down either tomorrow or Friday the meeting was adjourned
 Whether the proposal which the boart lis expected to make tomorrow can pre- went the strike was question no un:ol ioficial would comment on. Throughout ithe hearing today they reiterated thei previous declarations that they could no Lcall off the strike unless "satisfactor, settlement" was reacEed, and they de fined such a settlement as revocation o the wage cut of July 1, payment to tn men of the wages they have lost as result of that cut, and promise by tn roads not tC seek further wage reduc tions or changes in rules for a state period
 Board members decilned 10 common on the meeting to be held tomorrow, bu others pointed out that the genera ,chairmen, grand officers and executiv committees who will attend have tn power 10 call off the strike without refer ence to any other body.
 Throughout the hearing today Mi Hooper, chairman of the boards jud .ciary committee, developed in his exam ination of the union presidents that fea .of future wage cuts or rules change was the impelling motive behind tn overwhelming strike majority, rathe than opposition to the 12 per cent. wag reduction of last July. Each presider declared he did not accept the July cr but that it alone would probably not hay been enough to cause a strike.