The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-17
Do Not Think Proposal of Rail-
road Board VIII Work.
President of B. of E. COnfers
With His Vice Presidents.
". G. LEE OF B. OF R. 7. ON JOB
Five Leaders to Talk Over Plan
for Averting Strike.
View of Directors Is Not Made
Public in Meeting.

Cleveland, Oct. 17.-Railroad trans
portation organization chiefs who are
directing the progressive strike that is
intended to tie up the nations trans
portation system beginning October
80, today expressed doubt as to the
feasibility of the plan proposed by the
public group of the railroad labor
board to end the strike as announced
in Washington last night, or made no
direct comment on the proposal.
First conferences on plans for carry
ing forward the general railroad strike
intended to tie up the nations trans
portation system were begun here to-
day.
Warren s. Stone. president of the
Brotherhood of Engineers, was con-
ferring with the vice presidents of
that organization who are to be in
direct charge of the strike within their
various districts. Mr.. Stone was ex~
pected to issue a statement at the con-
clusion of the conference.
w. G. Lee on the Job.
With w. G. Lee, president of the
brotherhood of Railroad Trairmen,
already the job directing plans for
the walkout of members of his orEani-
zation, Mr.. Stone comforting with his
Immediate subordinates, the three
leaders of the other big five transpor-
tation organizations were expected TO
arrive during the cay for the general
conference of the big five leaders
Tuesday.
The three other leaders are: L. f.
Sheppard, president of the Order of
Railroad Conductors; w. S. Carter,
president of the Brotherhood of Fire
men and Enginemen, and 7. c. Cashen,
president of the Switchmen's union
of North America. Besides perfecting
plans for the strike, which is sched-
uled to begin at s a. m. Sunday, Octo-
Der 80, on a group Of roads affecting
mainly the central west and south,
| it also is expected the big five
| leaders will discuss the plan for avert
ing the strike which has been pro-
posed by the public group of the rail-
road labor board--to translate the I2
per cent wage reduction, which be-
came effective July /, Immediately
into decreased freight rates that would
be passed down to the public.
| View of Leaders Not Known.
How the leaders may view such
proposition is unknown, but should
| some pledge be Forthcoming that no
| other wage reduction will be sought
| by the carriers now, or at least until
| the present cut has been reflected in
| reduced freight rates. and living con-
| d1tions generally have been stabilized,
1t is believed not to be beyond the
realm of possibility that the big five
| transportation leaders might give con-
| sideration to the plan. It is known
| that some of them counselled for ac-
| ceptance of the July wage cut and be-
! lieved firmly that a strike would be
| ayerted until the carriers announced
| they intended to Sc sk a further wage
reduction of 10 per cent.
r. r. Proposal Won't Work.
The proposal of the public group of
the railroad labor board to reduce
freight rates to prevent a ratlro ad
strike would not prove feasible War
rem S. Stone, grand chief of the
brotherhood of Railroad Engineers
declared today.
| The suggestion cannot be worked
out" Mr.. Stone said by the time the
reduction got to the consumer il would
not amount to one-half of one per
cent The middleman would absorb
all of the difference"
! Leaders of the railroad organiza-
/ tions would assign no reason for Sc
| lecting mainly roads in the southwest
on which to institute the strike othar
than in the word Of Mr.. Lee that the
employees of these roads are "shock
| troops and are veterans in the or.sar,-
ization.
To Walk Out October %.
The brotherhood Of railroad train
men on the International & Great
Northern, Texas, have been author
lied by the president to walk out at
noon, October %, but it is not EXPECT
ed they will go out alone as the other
organizations are scheduled to strike
/ on October 80. James A. Baker. re-
ceiver for the road. wired Mr. Lee this
morning asking whether it was correct
that the trainmen had been author
lied to walk out October %. Mr.. Lee
| answ red him in the affirmative.
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