New-York tribune., 1921-10-19
Strike Off in
48 Hours, Rail
Chiefs Predict
Impetus of Movement Is
Weakened by the .''Slleer
Force of Public Senti-
meni,'' They Tell Public
Citv's Position Fortified
Plans 10 Insure Food and
Fuel Supply Are Pushed; !;
Port Authorities Assist

Railroad officials in New York de-
clared last night their belief that the
threatened strike would be called off
within the next forty-eight hours.
AT the Office Of the Association Of
Railway Executives, 61 Broadway, it
was said that the railroad presidents
who attended the conference at Chi
cago at which the brotherhoods' strike
vote vas announced were confident
that the strike threat was fast being
dispelled f''by sheer force Of public
sentiment"
Part Of the confidence was based on
the Railroad Labor Boards action in
calling the brotherhood chiefs to meet
in Chicago tomorrow The meeting was
called under Section 3l3 of the trans
portation act. The section provides for
fixing the blame for violation of any
decision Of the board. Under the law
the board can make public its verdict
OF guilt in such manner as to impose
moral responsibility, although any de-
cision under the law would be non
compulsory.
Rule on Which Board Acts
The section Of the law reads:
The Labor Board, in case it has
reason to believe that any decision
of the Labor Board or Of an adjust
ment board is violated by any carrier
or employee or subordinate official
or organization thereof, may upon
its own motion, after due notice and
hearing to all persons directly inter
ested in such violations, determine
whether in it's opinion such violation
has occurred and make public its de-
cision In such manner as it may
determine"
Thomas De Witt Cuyler, chairman Of
the railway executives, declined to
offer any comment yesterday. He said
he would make an announcement to-
day.
THE most hopeful development from
the railroads. standpoint, outside OF
the growth of public condemnation of
the strike order, has been the failure
of any one at Washington to propose
compromise that we would look upon
as impossible, said q railroad presi-
dent. at is clear that events are
rapidly forming to prevent the strike
can see only one way 1Or llS pre-
vention - withdrawal of the strike
order. With 100000 railroad men now
out of jobs it is becoming manifest to
the brotherhood leaders that their hope
of success is waning"
Despite the railroads optimistic
views preparations were still being
formulated here for providing the city
with food and fuel in the event of q
freight tie-up.
Port Authorities Cooperate
The aid of the Port Authority, which
includes all the harbor and dock facili-
ties in New Jersey and New York for
a radius of twenty-five miles, was of
fered to the Federal and state authori-
ties for the handling of freight. Eu-
genius II. Outerbridge, chairman Of the
Port Authority, said that a survey of
all freight handling facilities was
under way.
At the same time the Merchants AS.
sociation offered It's support in combat
ing a strike. 1t adopted resolutions
condemning the strike order. Copies
Of the resolutions were sent to Presi
dent Harding, members of Congress
and Governor Miller.
Edwin J. O'Malley, Commissionel
Continued ncxt pe1e)