The New York herald., 1921-10-25
Federal Body Also An
nounces Great Hopes Of
Averting Strike.
sIGNALMEN NOT TO QUIT
100000 Railroad Workers
to Stay on Duty, as Against
475,0OO Strikers.

CHICAGO, Oct. "a ASSOCIATED Press).
The United States Railroad Labor
Board does not intend to present any
plan for settlement of the railroad
strike situation when the union and
carrier chiefs convene with it
Wednesday In response to its citation.
aud any such proposal must emanate
from the labor board leaders or the
railroad heads, board members de-
clared tonight.
The board members explained that
the hearing technically is to deter
mine If the transportation act has
been violated. and that they had de-
cided at informal meetings that 1t
was their duty to see that provisions
Of the railway laws were made ef.
fective, although it would take any
steps which might tend toward pro-
noting clearing up OF the crisis.
At the same time the board for
mally announced that there was
great hope for settling the strike"
All of the 1.40o union men and the
1855 rail heads summoned must attend
every session, the board stated, and
the Coliseum. scene of many great
gatherings, has been hired for the
hearing, which will be open to the
public.
From the labor side came announce
a.
ments that the $4,000 signalnen VIII
not be authorized to strike thus
limiting the prospective strikers to
75.oOo trainrzen, conductors, switch
men. engineers. frernen and telegra-
phers and increasing the number OF
men whbse leaders have pledged them
not to walk out to about 100000.
The $4,000 railroad telegraphers ap-
parently were definitely committed to
a strike when e. J. Manion, their
president. announced in st. Louis that
there was no intention Of changing
the decision for these men to support
the big Five" in the waikout schcd-
uled for October so.
The information that the labor board
would not go into the conference with
any specific plan for solution of the rail
difficulties followed an announcement
from the board that the presidents OF the
big four brothcrhoods In a telegram
had again warned the board that the
strike could not under any circumstances
be postponed although it might be set
tied.
The message from the brotherhood
chiefs was looked on by board members
as especially significant, in view Of the
fact that the board has not been back
ward In letting II become known that
the hearing is expected to drag out for
some time and that II is depending on
the union chiefs to obey orders not TO
permit strike pending decision from
the conference. This decision. members
or the board said. undoubtedly would not
be rendered until after October 80. the
date set Tor the start Of the progressive
walIsout.
Railroad executives tegan gathering
here tonight for the Wednesday meet
ing. but the general influx Is NOT ex.
pected until tomorrow, when the stand.
Ing presidents committee of the associa-
tion OF railway executives will hold an
Informal session to discuss Its attitude.
The carrier heads thus far have taken
the attitude that they will have little to
say In the conference. maintaining that
the boards citation was directed mainly
ut the labor unions and that the roads
were summoned simply because both
sides must be represented.
The announcement from the signal
men to-day placed ten of the eleven
standard American Federation of Ia.
Dor rail unions formally against
strike Mt this time. although all have
announced that n new vote will be
taken after the Labor board renders its
rules and working conditions decisions.
which arc not expected for some time.
In n statement announcing the sur,-
morning OF the union men. Ben Hooper.
vicc-chairmnn OF the board. said that tho
board was making attendance manda-
tory, because there must be no room
left for passing the buck Every one
must be present"
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