The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-10-19
By LUTHER A. HUSTON

[sTkFF CORRESPONDENT /. N. sERYicEl
CHICAGO, Oct. ia virtual armi-
stice in the rail strike situation was
in effect today as all factions in the
fight that threatens a nationwide tie
up of the country's transportation fac
ilties awaited the conference tomorrow
Of the chiefs of the railroad brother
hoods with members OF the United
States railway labor board.
THINK STRIKE WILL BE AvEETED
The Impression prevailed in labor cir
cles here today that the strike Will be
averted or at least postponed as a re-
suit of the conference which will be-
gin tomorrow. Labor leaders have de-
clared that any action that would as
sure a withdrawal of proposals of
present wage cuts by the railroads
would forestall the strike and post
ponement Of wage reductions have been
announced as definite part OF the la
Dor boards plan for settlement OF the
controversy.
HaHLx6HTs IN SCHEME
Members of the labor board were to
aold an executive session during the
lay at which the plan for adjustment
Il the dispute is to be discussed. 1t was
learned that the highlightS of the
scheme, which &. believed to have the
sanction Of President Harding include:
Immediate suspension of the strike
order pending further negotiations look
ng toward a settlement.
Use of the influence of the brother
hood leaders TO forestall strike orders
~ any other labor organizations now
considering e. walkout
WITHDRAW WAGE REDUCTION
Proposal of platform on which final
settlement might be reached. this plat
'orm TO include the following points:
(A) withdrawal for a definite per-
'od OF the proposed request by the
roads for the further 10 per cent wage
reduction.
(B) Immediate reduction OF freight
rates by the roads
The completion OF this platform. II
vas believed certain today. would avert
the present strike II would put q
halt to contemplated wage reductions.
rhe strike vote taken by the rail unions
was solely on the question Of wage
cuts. This settlement would not, how
sver. adjust other points in dispute be-
-ween the roads and their employees that
train service men have emphasized as
II highest Importance.
REAL BONE OF CONTENTION
One of these is the question OF time
md another IS the cancellation OF exist
ng rules and working conditions. Labor
leaders. especially those affiliated with
he American Federation of Labor.
nave insisted that the matter of pay
'or overtime work and the code of work
ing regulations constitute the real
,one of contention In the railroad labor
Because of the fact that the strike
vote on which action is now being con-
sidered is on the question Of wage re
luctions, however. it is believed the
olan Of the war labor board will avert
he present crisis, leaving the matter
IF time and working rules TO adjust
nent by later negotiations
1ABoR BOARDS ACTION
The conviction was expressed by
abor leaders today that the plan of
he labor board already has been tons
atively accepted by tho railroads and
~ the unions. It was pointed out that
t was hardly likely that the labor
,oard would announce definite plan
md proceed along definite lines with
,ut some assurance the program TO be
'ollowed is acceptable TO the parties
involved in the dispute.
The matter of "translating the July
wage reductions into lower freight
ates," 1t is expected. will be the func-
ion Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission at Washing gton. Reports cur
ent here were that freight rate re-
Ldju stment policy would be announced
within few days by tho commission.
ASSEMBLIES FOR CONFERENCE
All of the members of the labor
,oard were here today for the confer
noes planned. Hundreds of general
chairman of the railway unions and
ther labor leaders also trooped into
chicago to attend union meetings that
ave been called. Most Of these meet
ngs however. were expected to mark
ine" until the outcome of the labor
oard conferences is known.
The union men, however. were al
1ost unit in asserting that govern
nent intervention meant the end ot
he strike" 1t is the blowoff was the
ommcnt most frequently heard.