The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-26
AUTHORITY OF
FEDERAL BOARD
IS CHALLENGED
Trainmen's Brotherhood Chief
Takes Independent Stand.
Ready to Garry Test of Strength
Into the Courts.
STRIKE PARLEY OPENING SLOW
But With r. r. Executives Talk
ing War, Fireworks Expected.
Federal Board and Authorities
Confident of Success.
Ready to Garry Test of Strength
Into the Courts.
STRIKE PARLEY OPENING SLOW
But With r. r. Executives Talk
ing War, Fireworks Expected.

Coliseum, Chicago, Oct. ga vir-
tual challenge of the authority of the
United States railway labor board tc
OF der the threatened railway str he
called off, or even to investigate the
strike, was hurled by w. G. Lee, presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen. at the first session of the
rail strike peace conference" here
today.
Lee intimated that the brotherhoods
were willing to have the authority OF
the labor board to intervene in the
present controversy tested in the
courts.
1T is understanding of the law"
Lee said, that after the board has
heard a dispute and made decision
it is the privilege of either party to
accept or reject the decision. AS we
understand it, it was the privilege of
the men to leave the service If they
felt unwilling to accept the board
wage cut decision.
Unions Take Stand.
"A test in the court might chow
otherwise, but that remains our III
dCTstanding until such a test is made.
Lee was questioned by Ban W.
Hooper, public member of the board,
who made it evident that tne board
vas trying to place the brOthcrhoods
or record that they had called the
sirike on an issue that had not yet
materialIed and the real issu was
further wage reductions that haG not
yet come before the board.
Lee declared that while the original
strike action of the trainmen had
been taken on the question of the
wage cuts ordered by the labor board
on July /, but said that he would show
later that the question of future wage
cuts and the issue of time and one
half for overtime entered the con-
troversy.
While questioning of Lee was still n
progress, the hearing adjourned until
2 o'clock.
Is Unique Gathering.
1t was the most unique assemblage
in the Industrial history of the coun-
try. Heads of the big five" railway
unions and the chiefs of every big
railroad in the country were virtually
on trial before the labor board.
The roll was called and it became
evident that many Of the general
cfairmen of the brotherhoods had not
responded to the summons of the
board.
President L. E. Sheppard, of the
Order of Railway Conductors, 3e-
manded the right to have his organ
ization represented by the executive
committee and by counsel. The same
demand was made by Stone, of the
Engineers, and by W. S. Carter, of the
Firemen.
Demand Equal Rights.
The brotherhood chiefs stressed the
point that the unions demanded the
same right of delegated representa-
tion that had been accorded the rail-
way executives. They declared that
the executive councils Of the brother
hoods had full power to act and the
presence of general Chairmen was not
necessary.
Chairman Barton ruled that the
roll of the general chairmen should
be called so that the board might have
a record of those present Only n
SCATTERING of responses came from
the labor section as the roll was allied.
The heads of the brotherhoods
manifested very aggressive attitude,
giving promise of fireworks when the
session gets down to business
Ben W. Hooper, public member of
the board, opened the inquiry by
questioning W. G. Lee, president of
the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
He asked Lee if a strike order had
been issued and was outstanding at
this time. Lee said emphatically that
there was and made a statement out
lining the manner in which the strike
decision had been reached.
Lee said that SO per cent Of the
trainmen had voted to strike rather
cuts ordered by the labor board on
July 1.
Executives Talk War.
War talk came from the camp of
the railway executives. The heads of
the railroads saw no cause for elation
in the statement of the labor board
late yesterday that no petitions for
wage reductions would be acted upon
by the board until all controversies re-
garding working rules are adjusted
After a conference, the railroad eXecu-
tives reiterated their determination to
ask the board Immediately for fur
ther cut of 10 per cent in the wages
of railway employees.
"If present wages are to be con-
tfnued, rates cannot be reduced" said
a statement issued by the executive. If
rates are to be reduced, present wages
cannot be paid. they added.
Board Talks Peace.
Peace talk came unofficially from
members of the labor board and OBJ
servers OF the situation who believed
the statement of the labor board with
regard to future wage cuts, knocked
the props out from under the strike
and left the unions no reasonable
course but to withdraw the strike
order.
1t seemed certain today that the
test would come thru the attitude of
the unions toward the labor board II
the unions consider the statement of
the labor board that no further wage
reductions Will be considered at this
time. sufficient warrant for calling off
the strike. the walkout scheduled for
October 80 will be averted.
Federal Officials Confident.
Uosbipp+on OCT 26-Firnl in their