Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-10-28
PEACE MEET OF
RAIL men FAILS
Union Chiefs Walk Out of Farley
With Board at
Chicago.
LEE RETURNS TO CLEVELAND
U. S. Rail Board Wires Washington
in Effort to Avert Split-Strike
Can't Be Postponed, Says
SWitchmen's Head.

Switchmen's Head.
Chicago, Oct. "a. The United
States government stepped into the
rail strike situation and assumed jur-
isdiction of the dispute.
An ultimatum, virtually charging
the unions and the roads with viola
tons of federal statutes, was served
by the United States rail labor board.
1t cited the rail executives and the
union chiefs to joint session here,
at which they will be compelled to
prove they are not violating a law,
through breaking of the boards wage
cut order of July 1.
The session is set for next Wednes-
day. Until it has been held all parties
to the wage dispute and strike threat
are ordered to maintain 'hands-of
attitude with reference to any wage
actions.
Chicago, Oct. 21.- Efforts of the
government, through the United States
rail board, to avert the threatened
railroad strike failed when the repre-
sentatives of the big Five" brother
hoods announced no decision was pcs
sible and began laying plans to de-
part. The rail beard wired to Wash
ington for further instructions.
A brief formal statement by the
labor board at the close of the meet
ing indicated, however,s the situation
was not hopeless. 1t said:
"'There has been full and frank
discussion. The labor board and the
brotherhoods exchanged views in a
perfectly pleasant way. The inter-
view was beneficial, but we cannot
say that any definite results We're OBJ
tanned"
w. G. Lee, representative of the
Order Of Railway Trainmen and one
of the big Five conferees sum-
moned here to meet with the United
States railroad board in an effort to
avert the threatened rail strike. left
hurriedly for the unions headquar-
tiers at Cleveland, after attending the
first session. The opening session
closed at s p. m. Mr.. Lee hurried to
the Great Northern hotel, where he
Immediately began efforts to cbtain
a berth reservation TO Cleveland.
Questioned as to the cause of his
action-whetIler it indicated settle
ment or a breakup Of the conference
he said:
81 am leaving tonight for Cleveland,
if I can get a berth on either of the
night trains. You can draw your own
conclusions"
Although no formal statements were
given esit at the end of the session,
hints from the conferees indicated
that the strike may be averted.
eve have no authority" said T. G..
Cashen, head of the Switchmen's
union, speaking informally for the
brotherhoods, $50 take any action
looking toward postponement Of the
strike. Either the strike is on or off
on the date set"
Included in the group of big Five"
leaders who reached the city at the
summons of the government were
Warren S. Stone of the engineers, l..
e. Sheppard of the conductors, Mr..
Lee of the railway trainmen. w l..
Carter Of the firemen ard Mr.. Cashen.
Mr.. Lee on his arrival was inclined
to scoff at the idea Of the railway
board having power to enforce its
ruling but expressed desire to be
shown such power, if it existed. He
took the stand that the boards only
power lies through the interstate COM
MERGE commission.
1--WE have been trying for year
and q half" he said, ito get the board
to enforce its decisions but never
were able to succeed. Now the board
says that ii has that authority to en-
force its rulings toward the unions. /
hope it has, but doubt it.
''The only class of workers over
which the government has any con-
troll is the railway men. this control
coming through the interstate COM
merce commission. The government
would never attempt to tell plumbers.
carpenters or workers in any other
class what to do"
Announcement was made by Louis
II. Glass, secretary of the Information
al Order of Railway Trainmasters,
that that organization had voted
against strike.
"At meeting in Chicago" he said,
stewards Of e7 divisions of our or
oon;zation fhn vardnaSferS voted
unanimously not to leave the railroad
properties in case strike is called,
as they were sure their case before
the interstate commerce commission
for an eight-hour day will be decided
in their favor"