The New York herald., 1921-10-19

, country and lower the present cost Of
living.
"Then, after the public had received
a breathing spell, the roads would be
at full liberty to come back to the board
with further requests for wage reduc-
tions."
The proposals of the American Farm
Bureau Federation were made known
in a statement by J. r. Howard. its
president.
A 10 per cent reduction on basic
commodities, including farm products,
food fuel. building materials and possi-
bly, ore would amount to between $780,
900. 900 and S250.000,000. Farm Bureau
officials estimated. A 1 per cent. re-
duction on everything. they said, would
amount to about $430,o00,000, approxi-
mately the amount by which wages OF
railroad employees were reduced on
July ].
Clifford 1horne, general counsel for
the Farm Bureau Federation, charac-
terized action Of the railroad executives
In refusing 10 per cent. reduction
in freight rates as "a grave error
Virtually every great industry and the
railroad employees themselves have been
forced to accept cuts in prices or wages,
he said.
not yet issued n strike call, although
most Of them l.a-'o voted for walkout
with the brothe-aoods, will hold their
proposed meetings regardless of the call
Of a conference between the brotherhood
chiefs and the Labor Board.
The first Of these meetings will take
place here tomorrow. when the execu-
tive council OF the shop crafts. made up
of 476,O0O members Of six unions. Will
go into session.
The twelve divisions OF the mainte-
nance OF way ORGANIZATIONS. represent
ing quarter of q million rail enn-
ployees. also will meet tomorrow, while
the telegraphers will meet Friday and
the clerks Sunday. Most of the other
unions also have scheduled meetings for
this week.. y +
r. NJ. Jewell, head of the shop crafts.
and others have steadfastly opposed a
strike on wage cuts and have announced
that they will fight vigorously to pre-
vent walkout order being issued. 1t Is
problematical, however, whether these
will be able to hold back their men or
convert the union leaders who are de-
termined on walk out, Mr.. Jewell said.
B; .he Associated Press. aft
CLEVELAND, Oct. 1S.-The scene OF ac-
ton In the threatened nationwide pro-
gressive railroad strike to begin Oc-
tober 80 shifts back to Chicago to-day
with the announcement that the three
local members OF the big Five" rail-
road brotherhoods had accepted a re-
quest from the Railroad Labor Board
that the Ave chief executives confer
with the board in Chicago Thursday
afternoon.
The kilograms requesting the con-
ference were sent to Warren S. Stone,
president Of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers; w. q. Lee, president
of the brotherhood Of Railroad Train
men, and w. S. Carter, president of the
brotherhood Of Firemen and Enginemen.
all with headquarters In this city. After
conference Mr.. Stone announced to-
night that the three chief executives
had accepted the invitation and would
leave for Chicago Wednesday night.
Similar requests, Mr.. Stone said, were
sent to l.. Il. Sheppard. president Of
the Order Of Railway Conductors. and
T. c. Cashen. president of tho Switch
mems Union of North America, with
hea douarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and
Buffalo, respectively.
The local executives had but u:tle
comment TO make on the request for .hc
| conference with the Labor Board, an
nouncing that the purpose OF the meet
| ing was not specific.
Referring TO the call for the Chicago
conference. Mr.. Lee said:
"Of course will attend the confer
cnce. will attend any conference at
any time or place that holds out the
possibility Of an open door 70 settle this
matter. have In mind the homes of
| the 150 900 men In my organization and
| | realize what this means 10 them.
will do my utmost at all times to reach
an an,icablc settlement"
Mr.. stone tonight issued signed
statement in reply TO statements made
by Joseph II. Defrces, president Of the
Chamber OF Commerce OF the United
States. in Washington yesterday de-
nouncing the threatened railroad strike
az "a most cruel and unjustifable at
tack upon the people and Government of
the United States"