Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-03-20
Omaha Man
On Stand In
Rail Case
e.. r. Gray, President of Union
Pacific, Details Activities as
Chairman of Executives
Labor Committee.
Says Rules Restrictive

Chicayo, March l9.-Attempting
10 bring out alleged dissention in the
ranks of railway executives over ra-
ttonal agreements, labor counsel
put two high officials through a
grilling examination before the rail-
road labor board today. i. P. Walsh,
union counsel. failed to obtain any
admission, however, that there was
division of opinion. a-.....
{. r. Gray of Omaha, president OF
the Union Pacific system, this after
room under questioning by Mr..
Walsh, detailed his activities as
chairman of the now abandoned la
Dor committee OF the Association Of
Railway Executives. 1t was in this
committee, the unions contended
that a split developed.
After outlining activities OF the la
horl committee OF which he was chair
man. Mr. Gray explained the basis
of his majority report OH establish
ing national boards OF adjustment
This report was rejected by the
member roads. it was brought out,
and a minority report OF w, w. At
tcrbury, vice president OF the Penn
sylvania. adopted
The majority report OF March 20,
1920. Mr. Gray said, was presented
with the idea that agreeing to nation
al boards which were urged by the
employees was the easiest way 10
settle disputes.
Not Recommendation.
The report was not recommen-
dation,' he said. The majority OF
the committee had an open mind on
whether boards of adjustment should
be national. regional or local The
objection to regional or local boards
was that they would require too
many men. Mr. Atterbury held that
national boards meant national
agreements. That was the fundamen-
tai distinction between the majority
and minority reports.
Mr. Gray declared under question
ing. that he had resigned as chair
man when the member roads adopted
the minority Atterbury report and
although continuing as Va committee
member, suggested that Mr., After,
bury be appointed. :. e
]. NJ. Sheehan. counsel for the
railroad committee before the labor
board, asked Mr.. Gray to tell what
he thought about national agree.
ments, contending that the line o
questioning had not borne on the
business nor reasonableness of sucf
rules. y
No Disagreement.
My feeling is that it is practical
ly impossible to devise rules whici
operate Justly and reasonably ove1
the whole country r. Gray said.
Mr.. Shcehan asked if there hat
ever been any disagreement on th'
continuation OF national agreement:
by the railway executives.
Never" Mr.. Gray replied.
Mfr. Sheehan then referred to th'
II fundamental principles laid dow,
as labor's "bill OF rights by unioi
officials yesterday.
Gould any road operate Witl
efficiency with all these rules in CT
fect?" Mr.. Sheehan asked
Certain of these rules are yer.
restrictive Mr.. Gray replied. Il
is almost impossible to set up All,
set of rules which will do justice t.
all" -..
Earlier today, T. Dewitt Cuy,e,
chairman of the executives associa
ton. was on the stand and main
tanned that he had had no part in til
formation or adoption of any labo
policy. He refused to admit ther
was any difference of opinion o
national agreements.