New-York tribune., 1921-03-25
{oa(ls Indorse
,un1n1ins Rail
Inquiry Plan
olnmittees Of Executives
Consider Appeal to Har-
ding for Hearing ON FL
nancial and Wage Plight
Begin Preparing Data
Regional Board Issue Up to
individual Lines; NJ. Cen
trail Laborcrs Reject Cut

: Hp4Q 8ICu1taou IN tuo iutSnSutSso 4uSuAU
Fas clearly indicated at conference Of
! hallway executives here yesterday.
II was learned that the roads well
eome an inquiry such as is proposed By
Gnited States Senator Cummins, chair
han Of the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee, and that, in fact, the
preparation and development Of the
failroads' case for presentation in the
expected probe arc already under way.
To speed up settlement of the whole
situation, with special reference to the
questions of wage reductions and ma
tionsl agreements. it was suggested in
other quarters that there was possi
bility of an appeal to tho President.
The action OF former President Wilson
IN connection with the Adamson law is
cited as precedent for such pro-
cedure.
Atterbury Attends Meeting
The meeting comprised the standing
committee of the Association of Rail
Yay Executives, with few members of
she law committee. Thomas De Witt
Cuyler, chairman Of the association,
presided, with w. w. Attcrhury, vice
president of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
and the heads Of other lines also pres
ent.
The entire railroad situation was sur
veyed, it was said, and all the details
49,
personnel and national agreements dis.
inquiry was taken up. it is understood,
and plans for laying before the gov
ernment the plight Of the country's
lines formulated.
The question Of regional boards was
also taken UP and decision arrived at.
It is in effect reply to the proposals
Of representatives of the "Big Four"
nrotherhooods representing the train
service men at q recent conference in
Philadelphia. The strainmen suggested
that four boards be established by the
railroads throughout the country for
the settlement of grievances affecting
wages and working conditions, these
boards to have jurisdiction over re-
spective districts such as the Eastern,
Southeastern, Western and Southwest
ern. They. were suggested by the men
to take the place of the national adjust
fient boards established during govern
nient control of the roads.
Regional Boards Up to Roads
1t is understood. that the railway
executives will inform the big Four"
to-day that the question of regional
boards will have to be decided by each
road individually. The problem is thus
made matter for solution between
the various lines and their workers,
putting it up, to the trainmen, in ef-
feet, to get the roads in any region to
agree to an adjustment board.
IT was explained that the railroads
want to get back to the policy Of
home rule" They want to get away
from being tied up wholesale with
standard agreements and contracts,
and wan. Go deal directly with their
Gwn employees, It was stated that the
Hallway association will do nothing to
prevent the formation of these boards,
put, on the other hand, it will take no
part in promoting their establishment.
g is.understood that the roads in each
II the regions will meet to discuss
the subject with the trainmen at the
latter's request.
i. Another development in the railroad
situation yesterday was the decision
4 9f the common laborers and semi
Skiiled employees of the Jersey Cen
tral Railroad to reject the roads pro-
posals that the men accept a reduc-
ton in wages. The decision was
handed to the railroad officials at
conference with the mems representa-
rlvese in Jersey City yesterday The
proposed cut amounted to about 20 per
cent. A conference with mechanics Of
the line will be held to-day.
Demand Board Hearing
L. A. Mckinley, general chairman
~ the federation of all mechanical
and labor crafts on the Jersey Central,
5aid he told the system heads that the
men regarded the present scale as
reasonable and that the question of
reduction should be left to the United
States Labor Board.
Charles Stein, assistant to Presi-
dent Bessler, of the line. said he
pointed out to the workers the general
financial and industrial situation, and
tried to convince the representatives
Z OF the men that q readjustn1ent of
wage rates was neces sary.
This Is the fifth system upon which
The employees have rejected proposed
wake cuts, the others being the New
York Central, the New York. New
Haven & Hartford, the Lehiph yailev
ana the Delaware, Lackawanna e. West
nrn. The appeals of several Of these
nnes Tor authorization to put the pro-.
p2sea reductions into effect ON April 1