Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-28

Of the efforts OF the labor board to me-
diate the controversy was the prepare
lions being made by the Department OF
Justice at Washington for procedure
against the unions for violation Of the
transportation act If the walk-out re-
suited in serious interruption OF traffic.
It is no secret that the fear Of be-
ing ''outlawed" ~ the labor board and
adeclared ineligible to share in the bene-
IGts Of future decisions Of the board with
regard to wage schedules and working
rules was a factor given much cansid-
Grafton By the brotherhoods.
NO WAGE CUT
FOR A YEAR.
Settlement Of the controversy Is based
upon the assurance by the labor board
that no petitions for additional wage
cuts would be acted upon until all con-
troversies over rules governing working
conditions are adjusted. This was
coupled with the promise Of the railway
executives that no wage reductions would
be put into effect without due proceed
ure before the labor beaFd,------
Hours Of bitter debate ragged around
the sufficiency of these assurances. 1t
was apparent that the brotherhood lead
ers were considering the attitude of the
membership Of their organizations. The
big question apparently was whether
the men would follow the advice Of their
leaders and consider the assurances given
by the labor board and the railroads as
q Satisfactory settlement" Of the con-
troversy. This question still is some
what of an issue but the general belief
is that the membership will accept the
decision Of the leaders and remain at
r r.
cur It is believed they will be sporadic.
Three men stand out as peacemakers.
Chief credit is given to Ben w. Hooper,
chairman of the public group Of the la
Dor board and former Governor Of Ten
nessee. Hooper, believed to be acting as
the personal representative Of President
Harding, assumed the leadership in the
boards efforts TO avert the strike. Re
went personally before the union leaders
yesterday and laid before them the as
surance Of the labor board.
Hoopers plea to the union leaders won
. over w. G. Lee, head Of the Trainmen,
4 and Lee thereafter led the fight for peace
the union conference. 1t was stub
born fight but g winning one.
W L. McNenniman, a member Of the
labor board group of the board likewise
mad a hand IN the peace negotiations. II
was Mc1Iennhnan, q former member Of
pearance of Hooper before the union
chiefs.
FIREAIEN HOLD OUT
FOR STRIKE.
The decision to call of the strike came
when the conductors and engineers Joined
with the trainmen. The iremen, of whom
W. S. Carter is the head, held out TO
the last for a strike.
The switchmen did not vote, since the
action taken by the trainmen, conductors
and 6nginemen was sufficient under the
rules Of the big FIVE" to bind the other
two. The official vote to call of the
strike was $50 in favor Of resembling
the strike order and 81 against The
thirty seven comprise the executive coun-
Gil of the fremen
Brief statements only were made by the
union chiefs and labor board members
after the conference. Additional state
ments are expected and the union chiefs
are expected also to make public the
resolution, adoption OF which ended the
strike controversy.
II am very gratifed that the unions
have taken the position not to strike, "
said Hooper. "a general strike at this
time would have cost the country more
than the entire Civil War and would put
the country back a lot IN its trip toward
normally"
~ shall get down on my knees and
think God that the catastrophe has been
averted," declared Lee. 81 have on my
desk thousands % letters from wives and
children Of railroad employees asking me
to do everything possible to prevent a
n trike. When I think Of the suffering a
SStrike would have caused thes people,
when I think OF the disaster It might
have brought to the country, again l
thank God we took the action we did"
Other leaders Of the rail unions and
members Of the labor board expressed
qualification over the outcome of the con-
troversy. as did numerous railway execu-
tives.