The New York herald., 1921-10-29

known to represent the Views held by
many Of the country's leading railroad
presidents.
Views of Rail Executives.
Here is the statement:
1.-THE plan presented to the labor
board by Gov. Hooper places 1t where 1t
. may postpone indefinitely a decision re-
garding further adjustment In the
wages of railroad employees to meet
changed conditions. To follow his
thought literally where he says 1t is
within the discretion of the board to
Ak the order in which il will take up
and consider the numerous matters sub
mitted to It, and where he further
states that it is the Judgment of the
board that 1t is unwise to enter Into
prolonged hearing of an application to
reduce wages at this time means that
the board If so disposed could postpone
Indefinitely a decision regarding wages,
no matter how serious the situation
might be-
1T Is impossible 90 understand how
the railroads would be able to meet the
nationwide agitation for lower rates,
save by bankrupting themselves and de-
stroying the efficiency of the country's
transportation system so vital to our
national business prosperity, II the
. board insists on maintaining this posi-
ton.
Responsibility for this attitude must
rest squarely on the labor board. After
telling the railroad managers il will not
give prompt consideration of their re-
quests for further wage reductions, actu-
ated by the public's demands for still
lower freight rates. IL is incumbent upon
the board to stop this plea for rate re-
ductions. The board has placed itself
sGuarely between the public and the rail-
roads. 1t has assumed upon It's own
shoulders the burden of defending ex-
isting rates"
Harrison Halls Settlement.
The sentiments of Fairfax Harrison,
tenn, with respect to the settlement Of
the threatened railroad strike were ex-
pressed in letter sent by him yesterday
to all employees of the Southern Rail-
way.
with heartfelt emotion I congratulate
you on the news from Chicago that the
threatened strike has been called off,"
said Mr.. Harrison. During the past
anxious week have made no public
statement OF my sentiments concerning
the situation nor have I sent you any
message. hoping that had your conf
dence as l know you had mine. l SYM
pathized deeply with you, collectively
and individually. for knew the difficult
ties of your situation. but 1 felt sure
that when the time came for final cleo
tfon you would remain loyal to the SER
vice of the public. In which. with mutual
respect we have for SO many years been
engaged together"
Railroad union officials In this city
were inclined to be reticent on the ac-
tion of their leaders in calling off the
the strike. They were far from enthu-
sastic. but they agreed that the settle-
ment in several particulars was salts
factory to them and that the men would
remain at work.
Fear Among Local Leaders.
Most Of the heads Of the brotherhood
locals had received Instructions from
Chicago last night. These instructions
wcro IN the fern of a code message null
.Ks Ing the like orders and giving
9giefly the torpis Of the resolution under
which III agreement was reached.
M8uy cf shs local union laeders ex-
pressed ;ho fear that the settlement
would t3in Jut to be a makeshift only
~ would defer the strike rather than
settle the issues involved.
Whatever their opinions on the terms
or the resolution, all local officials that
could be reached yesterday said they
were glad the strike had been avertet
"All for the best" was their somewhat
non-committa1 comment
Asa Reynolds. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of
the New Haven Division Of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers. said:
MY opinion Is that the leaders, In
calling off the strike, have acted for the
best. In one way at least IL Is a victory
for the brotherhoods, because the rail-
roads have spent millions trying to
bring about a strike and crush the power
Of the unions. They failed. and all
their expense has gone for nothing
Also. when the question comes up again
labor conditions probably will be better
and the unions will be in a stronger Do
sition I think, however. that Congress
will have passed law by that time
prohibiting strikes
Harry Ashmead, chairman Of the en-
gineers on the Long Island Railroad.
said he had not yet received his in
structions and did not know the exact
terms Of the settlement.
so far as ] know" he said. "our
men are very well satisfied with what
happened. The settlement. suppose, IL
all right"
William j. Orr, general organizer OF
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engin-
eers. declined to make any comment.
He did not appear enthusiastic.
No RAgy CTRyYF N0I/