New Britain herald., 1921-05-12
BOARD EXONERATES
 PENNA. R. R. CHIEF
Fails to Prove Official Ordered
 Attacks on Unions

thlcago. May l2.-lkailwaN lanor today formally admitted before the railroad labor board that 1t had failed In it's efforts to prove authenticity of letter alleged to have been written by a Pennsylvania railroad official or dcrinE "dcfamatioa of labor organiZa- tiOns if necessary" in obtaining de- sired information and requested per mission to withdraw tho letter from tho boards records.
 The admission was made by Frank Walsh, counsel for the railway unions. who arrived during tho hearing. It came after 1. W. Geer. general mana ger of the southwestern division of the Pennsylvania railroad, who was alleged to have written the letter. and other persons connected with the road had denied knowledge of it.
 After the railroad witnesses had been questioned by Donald Richberg. special counsel for the unions. Mir. Walsh said:
 Since the railroad officials all deny knowledge Of this letter we request permission to withdraw it from the boards records"
 James Sheehan. railroad counsel. obi biectcd.
 This letter wps introduced before tLis board two months ago with the badge of vcrity on it." he said. The public and the board have been mis- led through the publicity given what now is admitted to be calumnious charge. Al trc time it was introduced, Mr. Walsh said that if it's authenti- city wus not proven. labor would disclaim il. demand that it be dis claimed"
 Afinr considerable argument Mir. WgtIBt.. tgndtug said:
 ''Tho doCum. mt l. npf | .t:t cirt- e':. That's the hest Ca. -. rou. Mr. Shreaar."
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 ,'. @ .herli ntann 70 nf t',c soitfh'r, ,s; utiainr O #'t r hns,I- vani' linr ~ hvt,', ta;.,, iH in St. l.oulr. tuaay d. nj ad before the rail- load lR boz Aourd that he had ever written letter as alleged by the rail- way labor unions. ordering supervis- ory employees to resort to Reclamation of all labor organizations if neces- sary' to obtain information desired by the roads concerning laborts atti- tuds on wage reductions.
 Alr. Geer was the first witness at q hearing by the board over authenticity of the alleged letter. copies of which were introduced by tho unions at hearing some time ago and immedt- ately repudiated by railroad officials.
 The hearing assumed unusual for mniity when it was decided that all witnesses should be sworn. Donald Richberg. special counsel for the unions. conducted the cross cxamina- ton of Mir. Geer.
 MT. Geer replying to questions, ex- plained that he had two superintend- ents and fivo other officials on his staff but that only two of them, Superin- tendent Dithriege and Chief Clerk Taylor were authorized to sign his name to documents.
 Did you ever sign this letter or one similar to it?" asked MT. Richberg. No never did" answered Mir. Geer. Did the police of the Pennsylvania lines ascertain the attitude of the em- ployes in labor troubles?" asked MT. f Richberg.
 Not to my knowledge" was the reply. a
 Was there meeting of superin- tcndents on March 3 na stated In this ICtter?"
 There was not said MT. Geer The meeting closest to that date was about February @S as | recall 1t. There has been none since
 Mir. Geer said he had made no at tempt to ascertain the attitude of the employees on any questions and did not think MT. Dithriege had.
 "Thc first I knew Of this letter. he said. was when the St. Louis office of the Associated Press told me it had been presented before the board and asked if I cared to make any state ment concerning it. I promptly looked through all the office files but could lind no trace of it.
 Mr. Geer's testimony was corrob- orated by other employees of the Pennsylvania railroad. T. B. Earring ton. master mechanic at Columbus O., testified he never had seen such a letter and never had been asked by any one to ascertain the workers at- titude on any question. William Stub bins. general foreman of the engine !, house and car department at Brad z ford, O.. gave similar testimony
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