Bisbee daily review., 1921-02-11
RAILROAD LABOR BOARD DECIDES AGREEMENTS
 TO STAND
Commission Refuses Plea That Facts Be Lifted
 During Hearing
WORKERS WANT TINE
Decision Upsets Plans Of Both Railroads And Men:
 Inquiry Is Postponed

| CHICAGO, Feb. 10.-Decision of the railroad labor board today that the national agreements shall remain in force until completion of the pres ent hearing was characterized tonight by railroad employees as a victory.
 The ruling came as surprise both to railroad and labor camps and up- set plans of union officials for a bom- bardment of the railroads request for immediate abrogation of the agree ments.
 i Fortified with a legal battery. head ed by Frank P Walsh. the labor rep lresentatives appeared. to answer the request Of W. w. Atterbury, speaking for the railroads, for quick abolition of the national agreement. The boards decision against granting the request left little for the labor men to do except file statement prepared bH B. NJ. Jewell, president of the rail road employees department of the American Federation of Labor
 | This statement and an amplifica- tion by Walsh. charged the railroads with being party to an attempt at wiping out collective bargaining and crushing all labor organizations. When they had finished, they were unpre- pared to proceed with the regular re buttal of the railroad evidence object jecting to the national rules, and the hearing went over until Monday. | Jewell's request for time to prepare his testimony met with protest from the rail representatives, but he prom iSed to canvass the situation tomor-
 TOW and advise the board Saturday when he could proceed.
 :, Both Sides Gratified
 Both sides expressed qualification that the hearing would proceed in the regular manner w w. Atterbury. speaking for the railroads, declared that if there was urgency on Janu- aFy q. when l made the request Of | the board. there is still more nOw- ! December reports show that l15,000 miles of railroads did not earn their operating expenses and fixed charges flor, that month The railroads have contended that abrogation of the 5agreement would mean big cut in their operating expenses.
 w. J. Lauck. consulting economist ! for the labor men, however. declared the real issue was not the rules. but what they concretely sanction- the 1, principle of collective bargaining on the basis of union recognition" The boards ruling reviewed the powers delegated to it and declared it's duty to be that O. ueciding just and reasonable wages, salaries and working conditions. It said Ila5 pending the-outcome of the rules hear ing. which was separated by agree ment from the wage hearing. which ended in the award of July. the na- tional agreements promulgated under federal control would remain in force. Plea for their abroSatiOn on account Of financial inability 10 pay wages awarded was matter outside the boards jurisdiction. i;Ie ruling said, and should go to the Interstate Com merce Commission The executives request for permission to pay con- mon labOrers on the basis of the scale prevalent in different localities was also denied and leaves the basic railroad rate at 37 to 4Sls cents an hour.
 Conspiracy Charged
 The ruling pointed out that it was the duty of carriers and employees to confer over disputes and said it did not appear any attempt had been made to readjust the wages of un- skilled labor. and therefore, declared that the board was without juristlic- ton
 The Jewell and Walsh charges sim mered down to declaration Of a con- spiracy by industry to crush the labor unions and reiterated charges that New York banking interests were so interwoyen with the directorates of prominent railroads that these bank ing interests controlled 92 Of the lead ing roads with 76 per cent of the railroad mileage. Walsh asked that these intcrloCking directors be called before the board for interrogation. The board took the request under consideration.
 The labor board will sit in executive session tomorrow and Saturday and will set the date for continuing the rules hearing.
 The only comment by railroad man agers on the boards action. was letter from Atterbury to Chairman Barton Of the board, saving:
 Rtterbury Comments
 Your board has very properly said all questions involving the expense of operation ar the necessities of rail roads arc under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission. If there k any doubt in the mind of tbe board Of the correctness of my statement Of the serious financial condition of the railways. |: beg 'youi to request imm edisIely al statement - --- 'MURE'MNLD