The Washington herald., 1921-10-27
Satisfactory Settlement
Only Can Stop Strike,
Leaders Declare.
RAIL EXECUTIVES
RETURNING HOME
Chairman Barton Will
Make Statement on
Situation.
Especial to Tho Washington Her.ld. /,

Especial to The Washington He.H)
CHICAGO. Oct 2s.-"Big Five.
brotherhood chiefs told the United
states Railroad Board tonight that
nothing but a satisfactory settle
ment can stop the Threatened
strike from being clamped on tn.
railroads starting at O'Clock Sun
day morning.
Further sessions of the labor
board meeting with railroad execu-
yves and heads of the rallroad
protherhoods were called of az $40
O'Clock tonight. when adjournment
was announced. The railroad eN-
ecutives Immediately began return
ing 10 their homes. while brother
hood chiefs announced thai thev
would meet tomorrow with the
general chairman. Chairman Bar
ton of the labor board announced
that a statement would be made
public probably tomorrow.
Would Ignore Board's Order.
In reply to four categorical cues
lions from X. NJ. Barton. chairman
OF the board, each of the five union
chieis declared their opinion that
IL the board issued an order de-
directing that it should not occur.
the men would not respect the or
DER. They said IL the board issued
such an order they would not use
their power to get compliance from
the men.
They declared that supposine
they or the executive committees
OF the brotherhoods issued an order
GAZING on the strike. unless a set
tlement had been effected. the men
would ignore their orders. Moth
ing but "satisfactory settlement
they avowed. can avert a walk-out-
The questions by Judge Barton
brought TO head a day Of inquiry
directed to the question Of whether
the strike is against the July wage
cut and violation Of a board r1i-
ing. and second. what differences
between men and carriers may he
Underlying causes. It was held in
The Coliseum annex. and il was at
tended oy perhaps the most notable
gathering Of railroad men ever as
sembled in America.
Meeting Lacks Results.
At the end Of the days sessions
L c. Cashen. head Of the Switch
men. In a statement rejecting the
sentiment of other brotherhood
chiefs. said: Nothing transpired
at the days meetings to change
the situation. so far as a settle
ment is concerned
Shortly before the afternoon session
closed w. L. Menimen, Of the lahoy
group on the board, asked W g
Carter, OF the firemen. ARE YOU will
ing to talk IT over with the railroad
executivesr
oh. man." replied Carter. IF onIv
they had talked when we met them
short time ago. I'm afraid they've
got TO do some fast talking now. II
they had just talked. instead Of tell
ing us they had decided to seek an
other 10 per cent wage reduction. m
you'll ADJOURN tonight we can talk until
J O'Clock in the morning."
As to the next move, the board TO-
night seemed undecided. Opinion of
some of the members was that efforts
would be made to bring executives and
the union chiefs together in a session.
others said they did not think this
would be done. The general impress
sion was that the days meeting had
accomplished nothing.
Insist On .settIement.-
One fact developed at the hearing.
was that on the scene in Chicaro are
the executive committees and other
omcials in whom is reposed power 10
call on the strike. But all five brother
hood chiefs were insistent that any
such order would be futile and would
not keep the men back unless a salts
| factory settlement" were reached
One expectation at the Coliseum was
that tomorrow the board will issue an
/ n orar
and in violation of a board ruling.
Under the transportation act this is
about as far as the board can CO.
There were limitations that other
governmental agencies will then act
one report was that Washington may
start injunction proceedings against
the unions for violation of the act
The brotherhood chiefs. during the
questioning, took the ground that the
law itself does not contemplate denial
OF the 'fnalienable right to strike"
Says Execntives Want strike.
Leading members OF Congress"
said Mr.. Carter. have repeatedly told
me that there is nothing compulsory
in the law except public opinion. In
the papers some Of the executives have
indicated they want a strike. think
they do. They have done everything
they can to bring II about
The days hearings brought fat
statements from the brotherhoods that
the strike vote was taken on the
wage cut of July. They declared. how
ever, that in the minds OF the men
when they voted, were fears that the
roads contemplated further wage re
auctions without delay. abrogstion Of
present schedules and revision OF
working conditions. especially with a
view OF cutting. out time and a half
for overtime.
The categorical questions asked
by Chairman Barton, which brought
out in definite answer the main
points which the board has been
seeking enlightenment upon all day
were:
"who or what authority. in your
labor organization, can withdraw
the order TO strike or stop a strike
Csanittees Have Power.
In answer all 1--WE said that tn.
executive committees or othcr :
bodies were in Chicago clothed with
such power n a satisfactory settle
ment" were reached.