Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-02-19
RAILWAY CHIEFS
DECLINE Farley
WITH EMPLOYEES
Refuse to Enter Into a Ma
tionaI Conference As a
Means of Settling Exist
ina Differences
By The Associated Pressl

Chicago, FeD. IS.-7-LH ne ASSoCl"-
ton of Railway Executives at its
meeting today unanimously adopt
ed the report of its labor commit
fee and resolutions refusing to en-
ter into national conferences sug-
gested by the employees as a means
of settling differences over wages
of unskilled labor and working
...
The committee report pointed
out that the opposition made by the
roads to the national agreement
and the position taken today was
not to be construed as at attack
on labor organizations themselves
What we have been trying to 90
and all that we have been trying 10
do" the report said, "is to get the
to deal with our own
80 as to restore the effl-
cheney of labor on railroads ana
If possible avoid unemployment
and defer serious wage reductions.
The leaders of the labor unions
by the position they have taken,
have directly raised the issue
whether the maintenance and IN
crease of the power of the national
labor unions shall be placed above
the public interest in the efficient
and economical operation of our
transportation system"
Jewels Proposal.
3. M. Jewell, chairman of the
railway department of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, asked the
railway board Thursday to refer
the national agreements and the
question of wages of unskilfed la
Dor to a national Joint conference
of railway heads and representa-
tives of the labor unions, After re-.
ferring to this demand and the
statement made by Frank p. Walsh
before the board that the unions
might find it necessary to make
Fan earnest effort to prevent con-
gress enacting into law pending
legislation for the financial RELIEF
of railroads" the report said.
THE railroads are thus con-
frOnted with this situation While
'endeavoring to escape from one
set Of rigid and uniform rules and
working conditions inherited from
the war, they are met with a new
demand which, if acquiesced in by
the labor board, would deprive in
dividual carriers of direct negotia-
ton with their employees, These
demands amount to naturalization
of the railroads in the interests of
consolidated labor unions but
against the real interests of the
employees. Such naturalization Is
absolutely incompatible with the
efficient and economical operation
of the railroads."
No Plot Against Unions.
Replying to statements by labor
leaders that the railroad sugges-
ton to abrogate the national agree
ments was part of a plot originat-
ing in Wall street to break down
labor organizations, the report
said that the record of the pro-
cecdings showed that the roads
"began their opposition immedi-
ately after the transportation sys-
tenn was returned to private owner
ship, when production was at its
Height when the demand for labor
in all lines exceeded the supply
and before the so-called open
shop movement in other indus
tries began
"The record demonstrates the
report said, that the railways
have acted throughout independ-
emily. primarily in their own in
terest, but also in the interests of
the shippers and the farmers"
Fundamental Principles.
One resolution adopted said that
the fundamental principles which
should guide the roads in the rela-
tions with their employees were:
THAT the conduct of modern
transportation is a great co-opera-
tive enterprise requiring for its
highest success the honest and
loyal cooperation of employer and
omploye.
"2-That section SO1 Of the
transportation act requiring every
reasonable effort and conference
and negotiation between each car
rier and its own employees to avoid
disputes which might result in In
terruptions to traffic should be
complied with in spirit and letter.
"3-That one of the great ad-
vantages of private over govern
ment ownership and operation OF
railroad lines is the greater adapta-
bility of Individual roads to the
geographical, social, economic and
Operationg conditions which vary
greatly with different portions of
the country and that for this rea-
son railroads cannot deal with
their employees in national confer
ences but must act individually.
"4-That the restoration and
maintenance of this variation is
essential to private ownership.
Oppose Uniform Rules.
"5-That it is in opposition to
sound public policy to require all
railroads to operate under rigid
and uniform rules and working
conditions, because it prevents eco
nomical operation and results in
injury to other industries and to
farmers and stock raisers who are
brought into competition with the
railways for labor.
'6-That under normal condi-
tions the REIMBURSEMENT of these diff
ferences cannot be made the sub
ject of national conferences as that
implies by its very nature a VIC
lation of the differing needs of the
railroads and the territories they
serve. ae4
"7-That any insistence by lead-
ers of railway labor organizations
that their claims to recognition
shall be admitted in violation OF