The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-20
Chiefs of Big Four in Confer
ence in Chicago.
OPTIMISTIC over PROSPECTS
Pennsylvania Is Charged With
Violation of Decision.
Plans Made to Operate Mail and
Milk Trains in U. S.

prospective
rail strike cannot be postponed, but il
can bet settled" T. C. Cashen, presi-
dent of the Switchmen's union, de-
clared after a conference this morning
at which it was learned they had con-
sidered all possible phases of the
situation as they may be presented at
the meeting this afternoon with the
United States railroad labor board.
Chiefs of the big four brotherhoods
and the Switchmen's union arrived this
morning and went into conference
preparatory to their meeting this after
noon with the United States railroad
labor board
Union headquarters was optimistic
and there was a strongly evident feel
ing that there will be no strike unless
something unexpected occurs to dis
rupt the conference this afternoon.
Many Leaders Present.
Present at the union conference
were Warren S. Stone, grand chief OF
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engf-
neers; L. E Sheppard, president of
the Order of Railway Conductors; w.
q. Lee, president of the Brother hood
of Railroad Trainnen; w. S. Carter,
president of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Firemen and Bnginemen. and
T. c. Cashen, president of the Switch
mems Union of North America.
The eleven so-called Standard
unions marked time today awaiting
ing. While a few of their general
chairmen met to discuss strike plans
the majority crowded the hearing
rooms of the labor board to see the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad cited for failure
to obey the boards orders.
Despite the optimism in brotherhood
circles. J. NJ. McGrath. vice president
of the railway employees department,
A. f. of l.. (the six federated shop
crafts), declared before the labor
hos if1nF In ha De-, L..
case began that strike seemed to
him 70 be certain. The shop crafts
have voted to strike, but have not is
sued strike orders. twenty-five rail-
roads have violated labor board de-
cisions, McGrath said, and the men
are insistent on walking out
N. Z. Good, chairman of system fed
Grafton No. 80. the shop crafts local
on the Pennsylvania lines. announced
that he had ordered a new strike vote
taken among all shop employees on the
Pennsylvania lines. both union and
nonunion, and that the shopmen would
not strike until the result of this bal
lot Is known.
Leaders of the big five railroad
brotherhoods meet today with the
railroad labor board in a secret in
formal conference to air their griey-
ances which led to the strike called
for October 80. while chairmen OF
most of the eleven other principal rail-
road unions were deciding whether
they also would call a wa1kout, to
complete the proposed transportation
tieup.
Labor board members were optinis-
tic over prospects of an adjustment of
the brotherhood members complaints
but no plans had been announced for
discussing with railroad executives the
boards program of averting the strike
by temporarily maintaining the pres
ent wage level and reducing freight
rates.
To Hear Pennsylvania Case.
Prior to the conference with the
brotherhoods, the board had sched-
uled a hearing with Pennsylvania
railroad representatives on charges of
violation of a board decision requiring
new election of shop crafts repre-
sentative. This case is the first of its
kind to come before the board and is
expected to establish the extent OF the
boards power in enforcing its deci-
sions under the transportation att
Plans to operate passenger. mail
and milk trains were being pushed by
railroad executives. in event the strike
takes place, with resumption of
freight traffic as fast as men can be
secured. From the ranks of men re-
Gently laid off, pensioners. loyal vet
Grams and others with railroad exper-
fence. railroad officials here today de-
clared they could recruit nearly half
a million men. Roads entering New
York were advertising for men to fill
positions which may be vacated and
roads entering Chicago are expected
to take the same course within the
next few days.
Decrease in Numbers.
Between August. 1920, and June,
1921, the number of railroad employees
decreased by 611,6S1, according to
figures of the interstate commercs
commission. and moro than sixty
thousand of these were train -orvics
men.