The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-21
Orders Men Not to Strike Until
Grievances Are Heard.
Summons Roads and Labor to
Appear Before 1t October 26.
DEMAND FULL SETTLEMENT
''Big Five" Stands Pat on UIti-
matum to Rail Lines.
Road Executives Say "Things
Look Bad at This Time"

Chicago, Oct. 21.-The United States
railroad labor board this afternoon
passed a resolution citing the big four
brotherhoods, the switchmen's union
and all railroads named in the wage
reduction order of July l to appear
before the board Wednesday morning,
October &c, at 10 o'clock.
They are cited to appear so that the
board may determine whether or not
they have violated or are violating the
wace reduction order.
The board also said that so far as
the threatened strike is the result OF a
dispute between the carriers and their
employees concerning wages, rules and
working conditions, this board hereby
assumes jurisdiction of said dispute on
the statutory ground that 1t is likely
substantially to interrupt commerce
Chicago. oct. 21.-The United
States railroad labor board today
backed by all the authority which the
government can place at It's dlSpoSdl'
called the railroads of the country and
inc five big unions to appear here next
week and solemnly warned the unions
not to strike until the board has heard
their grievances and rendered decl-
sion.
The boards action practically means
that there will be no strike Octoter 30
unless the unions should choose to
openly defy the government, Tor It's
hardly probable that a decision viii be
rendered by the board before that
date.
Chicago, Oct. 21.-Preparations for
the biggest railroGd strike in the his
tory of the United States We're going
forward today as result OF the fall-
ure of the conference here between
chiefs of the big railway brotherhoods
and the United States railway labor
board to reach an agreement. NJ
further parleys have been arranged
and, unless a new move toward SET
tIement comes within the next nine
days. the walkout set for OCTOBER 81
will take place.
Both union leaders and railway eX-
ecutives here today frankly admitted
that an impasse had been reached. 1t
was generally conceded that the next
move toward a settlement must come
from the federal government at Wash
ington Members of the labor board,
while declining to make statements,
admitted the conference which they
had hoped would accomplish much
had been barren of results. They de-
clared the board had no further plan
orr to Cleveland.
Heads of the 'big five" brother
hoods. as they have come to be known.
since the union of the switchmen
with the trainmen, conductors, engi-
neers and firemen and enginemen.
either had left Chicago today or were
preparing to leave for Cleveland,
where plans for fighting the battle
that looms when the walkout comes,
will be prepared.
1--WE stand lat" and 'the strike will
proceed" were their parting declara-
tions.
The attempt of the labor board to
adjust the controversy ended in fail
ure when the heads of the brother
hoods. after several hours of confer
ence, walked out of the parley, assert
ing the proposals submitted by the
board were impossible of acceptance.
Postponemcnt Asked.
The proposal of the labor board.
which was rejected, contemplated
postponement of the strike; deferring
of the request of the railroads for
further wage reductions and reduc-
tions of freight rates to absorb the
wage cuts that became effective
It was the contention of the union
leaders that the strike could not be
postponed Nothing short of a full
settlement, they said could avert the
strike.
Railway executives of the western
lines We're to meet here today to dis
cuss plans for combating the strike.
The executives We're frankly pessi-
mistic.
Situation Not Improved
Samuel FELTON,, president of the Chi
cago & Great Western, declared
things look bad" Hale Holden of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy,
declared that ''the situation certainly
was not improved today"
Beyond announcing that adjourn
ment of the conference was final"
and 1--WE cannot say that any benefi-
cial results were obtained" members
of the labor board made no statement.
Railway unions separate from the
big five" brotherhoods, including
those affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor. continued the
various conferences that have been in
progress during the present week.
The policy of the federation unions
Confined on Page FourI