The Washington herald., 1921-04-15
Upholds Principles of
National Working
Agreements. L.
VICTORY CLAIMED
BY LABOR LEADERS
Roads Relieved of Rules
Which, They Claim, =
Cost Millions.

CHICAGO, April 14.-In a sweep
ing decision today the United States
Labor Board upheld the principle
of national working agreements
between railroads and railroad en-
ployes.
The board ordered, however, that
existing national rules, entered into
between the employees and the Fed
eral Railroad Administration. are
to. terminate on July /. Modifca-
tions in the present stringent rules
will be made and financial relief
thus afforded the roads.
Labor groups, 1t was stated. re-
gard the decision as one of the
greatest victories for organized
labor ever won in this country.
Early Conferences Ordered.
The board orders the carriers and
employees of each road to hold con-
ferences on working agreements
at the earliest possible date" The
results of these conferences are to
be reported to the board. which
will promulgate such rules as II
determines just and reasonable as
soon after July l. 1921, as is rea-
sOnably possible"
The board reserves the right to
terminate. the agreements before
July l on any class of employees
Of any carrier II may see fit, and
also reserves the right to continue
them after that date II it believes
amy carrier is unduly delaying the
progress Of the negotiations"
This decision virtually settles the
bitter rules controversy. that has
been before the railroad board for
! several months. Hearings will be
continued however. that the board
may have more information on
which, to base its finaF decision in
July.
Burdenssne RuIes Mediaed.
The board believes that certain
srnfes are unduiy bufdens6me TO the
carriers and should, be modified" the
order states. 1T may be we'll that
other rules should be modified in
the interests of the employees
/ The board is unable to find that
all rules embodied in the national
agreements. orders, etc. of the
railroad administration constitu-
tion are just and reasonable rules
for all carriers parties to the dis
pute. 1t must. therefore. refuse the
indefinite extension of the national
agreements on all such carriers As
urged by the employees.
The board also deems 1t mad
" 10 tn Tar fna 10 aN
rection of decision number 2 (goy-
erning wage and working rules)
and to remand the dispute to the in
dividual carriers and their en-
ployes. Such a course would leave
without any rules regulating work.
! ing conditions.
Must Reach Agreements.
IF the board should recommend
the dispute to the individual car
riers and their employees and should
keep the direction of decision num-
Der 2 in effect until agreement
should be arrived at, it is possible
that agreements might not be ar
rived at
The board believes nevertheless
that certain subject matters now
regulated by rules of the national
agreement are local in nature and
require consideration of local con-
ditions. 1t also believes that other
subject matters now so regulated
are general in character and that
substantial uniformity in rules reg
ulating such subject matters is de-
sirable."
The decision, while thus making
concessions on both sides. recognizes
the principle of national agreements
on general subjects, which was
strenuously fought by railroad ex-
ecutives.
1t also will relieve. it is predicted.
the RAILROADS from many stringent
rules which, they claim. are cost
ing them millions of dollars month
ly through excessive wages, over
time and bonuses.