Pueblo chieftain. (Pueblo, Colo.) 1889-current, 1921-10-27

ened general tie-up of the nation
tomorrow morning when presidents.
general chairmen and, executive COM
mittees of the five train service unions
meet here at a conference reported to
have been arranged at the instigation
of the railroad labor board.
In adjourning today's conference.
Chairman Barton Of the railroad labor
announced that the board will take
everything into consideration and will
within a short time, possibly tomor-
row and certainly not later than the
next day. deliver it's decision in this
matter In the usual way"
The boards investigation of the
causes of the strike threat ended abb
ruptly at $3.50 o'clock tonight when
the five union leaders asked permits
sion to make an announcement to their
ing.
Union leaders tonight said that the
meeting tomorrow had been called at
the suggestion of Ben W. Hooper, vice
chairman of the board and that they
expected him personally to present a
final proposition from the board. Mr..
Hooper refused to confirm or deny
this. Judge r. NJ. Barton chairman
said that its decision on today's hear
ing might be rendered tomorrow and
certainly would be forthcoming by the
next day.
Each of the presidents of the five
| transportation groups unions said how
ever that the prospects for a settle
ment, certainly were no better than
they were this morning. while two
went farther, declaring that the clouds
were darker than ever
! 1T was understood that the board
would make the following proposals
to the unions tomorrow:
That the unions suspend or call off
the strike ordered for Sunday and
based on the wage cut made last July
pending decisions by the board on fur
Their wage cuts or on any revision OF
rules which the employees fear the
roads will ask. The roads have al
| seeking 10 per cent wage cut the
train service men in addition to the
u per cent slash of July. Many roads
nave indicated n desire to abrogate
time and a half for over time also.
Thruout today's hearing the union
leaders insisted fear of changes in
rules and fear of further wage reduc-
tons had influenced their men In vot-
ing to strike. The board Is understood
to be prepared to urge that this fear
Is something which may happen in
the future is not sufficient grounds
for strike and that the men cannot
lose anything by waiting for those de-
cisions to be rendered.
The unexpected ending of the boards
hearing after little more than an hour
had been devoted to taking testimony
of the railroads side. followed whis-
pered conferences among the union
leaders.
Whether the proposal which the
board is expected to make tomorrow
can prevent the strike was ques-
ton no union official would comment
on. Turnout the hearing today they
reiterated previous declarations that
they could not call off the strike un-
less a Satisfactory settlement was
reached and they defined such a set
tlement as revocation of the wage cut
OF July l payment to the men of the
wages they have lost as n result OF
that cut and u promise by the roads
not to seek further wage reductions
or changes in rules for n stated period.
Board members declined to comment
on the union meetings to be held to-
morrow but others pointed out that
the general chairmen, grand officers
and executive committees who will be
In attendance have the power to call
off the strike without reference to any
other body.
Turnout the hearing today Ben W.
Hooper. chairman of the boards judi
ciary committee developed in his ex-
animation of the union presidents that
lear of future wage cuts or rules
changes was the impellng motive be-
hind the overwhelming strike majority
rather than opposition to the l. per
cent wage reduction OF last July.
Each president declared he did not
accept the July cut. but that it alone
would probably not have been enough !
to cause a strike.
One thousand executives of the big !
four brotherhoods and the switchmens
union after a day OF verbal jockeying |
with the railroad labor board declared !
late today no power save a "satisfac- |
tory settlement can prevent their |
men walking out beginning at 6 a. m |
Sunday. Their declaration came after |
a day of fruitless questioning when
Judge r. NJ. Barton, chairman of the |
board asked each union president four
prepared questions.
Who. or what authority in your la
hor organization can withdraw the or
der to strike or stop strike?
suppose you the chief executive of !
your labor organization or your execu-
tive committee issued an order or
statement that n strike should not oc-
cur do you not believe the strike |
would be prevented.
III the board shall declare n strike
is not justified and should not occur
and direct that the employees not
strike will that order be obeyed?
viii you as chief executive Use
your power and influence to see that
the orders of the board on the matter
be oheyed?"
The union chiefs, w s. Stone of
the Engineers; w. G. Lee of the
trainmen; l.. Il. Sheppard of the con-
Continued OH Page Two.) !