Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-04-01
RAIL UNION ASK
HARDING FOR PAR!EY
Labor Says Issues Could be
Settled BY Conference
With Executives
GET DATA ON PROBLEM
Closrted For Hours With Experts
VIII Later Hear Employees and
Managers

Washington, April 1.-Prcsident
Harding was urged yesterday By
union labor TO use Ms executive in
fiuence to biing about Il conference
between representatives u all rail
roads Of the country and their EN-
ployes in an effort 70 dispose Of all
pending disputes row affecting
transportation The request was il
the form CT telegram sent by B.
" Jewell, president of the railway
employees department Of the Amer
can Federation Of Labor.
The President deferred decision
On the appea! until the telegram
was officially LAID before him and in
the meanwhile sp"nt two hours clos
et.si with F. +. Clark, chairman Of
the Railroad Labor Board, in an tf-
fort 70 obtain precise data or every
angle Of the railroad problem. TIE
executive asked not oEly for infor-
nation, but for frank opinions Of
hrw serious the condition Of the car
ricrs really is and wf.at remedies
can br applied " tn greatest prom
ise Of results.
Other conferences AT wfch rail
road managers ard employees can
present directly heir leconlmenda-
ticns are expected TO follow, bu, IL
was said a. the White House last
night that definite dates for these
consultations had not yet been fixed
The information laid before the
Chief exergti"c is understood 10
tave included detailed figures or the
recent earnings o. the carriers and
petitions Of shippers for lower
freight rates TO permit them to com
pete with foreign crods II American
markets, ard the pleas Of the ra:!-
road employees against any redur-
zion in wages.
In the background ,aE these con-
|idcratcns was 7he question al pos
:'l!c Government ownership, al
though there was 40 indication that
Il was seriously discussed The .ad
ministlation has heard suggestions,
however. that unless SOME remedy is
found soon the Government may
have to shoulder ;hc burden of rail
pad management indirc ccly ny tax
ing the properties into rccsiwer
ships.
Two million railroad workers
ard their millions Of dependents
read Mr.. Jewels telegram. "are
vitality interested in yoGr efforts to
effect solution Of the railroad
problem. Obviously TO policy or
program that is unacceptable 10
them will ne Productive Of the much
desired result Of Cooperation, and
accordingly. therefore. We urge res
pectfuny that We will he given 4
voice in the determination Of what
is TO be done
The message nferrcd 10 the Pres
;dcHt'S inaugura! declaration that M
w6uki rather submit cur industrial
controversies To the conference table
n advance than 70 The settlement
table after conflict and SJffering.' '
we prefer At all times" ]; con-
rirued. 40 ADJUST points Of differ
,nca through mut1a. agreement
with tne railway execu .Yes, and be
caus. Of the present abnormal con-
ditions W" consider it essentia! n
the Interests Of al concerned 10 con-
serve time and effort by. reaching
an agreement through joint con-
ference
"Accoraingi?-, we urge that you
use your executive Influence to
bring about conference between
the railway executives as they sare
ia tionally organized and the. rail-
road employees as they are organized
nationally IL undertskc 70 compose
The differences on ali po;nts in dis
Ioute Such conference. is contnm-
;alated BY the Transportation act
artl IS in keeping with the: spirit ct
the time: We hsrct every conf
| Aence tErt ynn rau arrange it, and
I'VE will have every faith THAT it will
be nrddritcd Of immediate saiutary