Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-02-01
RAIL HEADS URGE
. BOARD TO ANNUL
WAGE C0MPACTS
Will Create Chaotic Condi-
ton, Declares General
Atterbury.
CHIEF OF DlSPATCHERS
OPPOSES PROPOSED MOVE
Whittier Protests Admission of
Testimony Given by
Telegraphers.
NO AGREEMENT WITH THEM
Luhrscn Asserts Probable Petitions
for Pay Reductions by Roads
VIII BE Propaganda.
CHIEF OF DlSPATCHERs
OPPOSES PROPOSED MOVE
NO AGREEMENT WITH THEM
l.uhrscn Asserts Probable Petitions
for Pay Reductions by Roads
VIII BE Propaganda.
tBy Associated Press. !

CHICAGO, Jan. 3l.--American rail-
roads. through Brigadicr- r-Gcneral w.
W. Attcrbury. icc-prcsidcnt OF the
pennsylvania lines. today urged be-
fore the railroad labor board i'm
mediate abrogation of the national
agreements between the roads and
their employees, and brought to "A
focus what railrond executives de-
clared was II critical situation. threat
cnins many roads with bankruptcy.
No wage reductions would he asked
at present if the agreements were an
nulied. GencrN Atterbury said.
The course recommended by Gen
ciai Atterbury was intcrjectcd into
the boards hearings on rules aud
working conditions which had been
in progress for more than three
weeks. Vigorous protest. chargin
the railroads with violation of the
transportation act, was made by j.
G. Luhrsen. president of the Ameri-
can D!spatchers' Association. in reply
TO General Attcrbury's statement.
Notice that a reply would soon he
forthcoming from the sixteen
brothcrhoods was also given by b.
NJ. Jewell. president Of the Railway
Employees Department of the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor Tonight
Air. Jewell sent long telegram TO
President Wilson prctcsting against
any interruption. of tho boards pro-
ceedinEs.
situation is Urgent.
Genernl Atterbury declared that the
railroad situation was so,urgept that
he could entertain no proposal OF
conferences with employees. as they
could not agree. lie added that even
N few days delay might throw the
whole situation into chaos and flood
the board with petitions from rail-
ionds for reductions Of wages.
General Atterbury appeared before
the board in bchmlf OF the American
Association OF Railway Executives,
OF which he is chairman He de-
c!ared that unless operating expenses
were Immediately reduced many roads
faced bankruptcy. and that wiping
out the national agreements offered
quick solution To part OF the proh-
year in operating expenses could be
effected by overruling the existing
agreements and restoring the stat+ls
OF December 81, 1917, he said
The national agreements. he con-
tinued. We're forced on the railroads
rs war measures, and cause gross
waste and efficiency. The first step
In the railroads retrenchment should
be removal OF these agreements,
which, the roads declare. will materi-
ally reduce operating expenses
suggestions by members of the
board that further conferences be held
between the roads ana employees were
rejected by General Atterhury Judge
Bnrton. chairman of the board. said
he considered some basis necessary
fer railroad operation and Questioned
lie wisdom OF wiping out the exist
ms agreements. Rehuttat hy the en-
ployes would be heard Immediately
however. he said, and the matter
taken up at once by the board
Protest against Mr.. Luhrscn's state
ment WAS made 10y H. T.. Whittier.
chairman OF the railroad committee.
before the board on The ground that
the train dispatchars have 10 national
agreements anh were. therefore not
entitled to speak on thai subject.
Continued Oh Second Pagc).