Arizona republican., 1921-03-19
EMPLOYES COUNSEL
 DELVE INTO RECORDS
 OF RAIL EXECUTIVES
IRepubIican A. p. Leased wirel

deived into the records of the Associa- ton of Railway Executives today be- fore the railroad labor board, in an endeavor to show that the railroads fight against national agreements was not unanimous but was dominated by a few officials An underlying pur- pose to establish the open shop and crush labor organizations was declared to be behind the fight of the associa- tion against national boards of adjust ment. The controversy over these boards in the associations labor com mlttee was brought out by cross ex- animation of T. Dewitt Cuyler, chair man of the association and his assis- tant, Robert $. Binkerd, and the in- troduction of voluminous correspon- dence and reports of the committed into the labor board record
 Today's proceedings marked the be- ginning of labor's main fight for con tinuance of the national rules and working agreements now in effect, the justness and reasonableness of which the board is now trying to decide in hearings which began January 10.
 A basic program of eleven points on which labor would be willing to nego- tiate national agreements was laid be- fore the board by B. Nj. Jewell, presi- dent of the railway employees depart ment of the American Federation of Labor.
 Frank P. Walsh. counsel for the unions, followed with an exhaustive cross examination of MT. Binkerd and MT. Cuyler. He read in full the ma jor1ty and minority reports of the as- sociation's labor committee concern ing national boards of adjustment His examination, however, drew forth little on the question of national agreements
 -...5 was the outgrowth of the tranSporta- ton act. according to testimony of MT Binkerd, brought out in the cross ex- animation. and was designed to deal with labor disputes. Records brought by MT. Rinkerd were read to show that divided opinion concerning national boards of adjustment had existed in the committee.
 As a result of a bi partisan board appointed at the suggestion of former President Wilson. in March, 1920, the national boards of adjustment created under federal control were continued with the approval of majority of the labor committee, it was brought out Minority reports representing the stand of W w. Atterbury. vice presi- dent of the Pennsylvania, however were adopted by the association. which went on record in favor of local boards of adjustment.
 The majority report of the labor committee, submitted on March 29 1920, said that if the roads did not take advantage of the permissive features of the law by agreeing to adjustment boards the efficiency of the labor board might be greatly impaired. re- sulting in decisions possibly adverse to the roads.
 The minority, headed by MT. Alter bury, however, presented three reports pointing out that agreement to nationa adjustment boards meant dealing witt representatives of organized labor ano declared the non-u union man would not have a chance before such a board Such a recognition Of the unions, the report said. would lead to a closed shoI and concentration of control by the un- ions. National boards, one of the re- ports said. meant national agreement: and creation of uniform handling of al labor matters, contrary to the minor tvs contention that each road should bA allowed to negotiate its own agree ments and settle its own difference witt it's own employees. The minority re port. it was adopted by a member vot' of so to 41 on April 10, 1920. Both MT Binkerd and Mir Cuyler were chal lenged by Mir. Walsh to show why th' majority report was disregarded, bu both maintained that members of tn roads. after discussing the matter agreed with the attitude of the minor ity and adopted it's report.
 Attempts to draw from MT. Cuylel his connection with other business in terasts brought the ready explanation that he was not a practical railroad man and merely acted as chairman O the executives association without talk ] ing any part in labor matters. He wa A director of four roads. he said. anC ten banks and other corporations. 1 Publicity matter attacking the ma 1 tionaI agreements sent out under MT ] Cuvler's name was prepared by pub licsts he said, but had his thorough concurrence and he declared emphati i cauy that he was opposed to all na | tional agreements.
 Mir Walsh clashed with his witnes { several times and kept the big crowt 1 in such a confusion that the chairman ! threatened several times to clear tn ] roo~a. Mir. Cuyler, however, maintained 1 his objections to national agreement 1 and blocked efforts of the unions tt | show that controversy existed in thu association over that question
 l MT. JewelPs opening statment at tn, morning session declared an agree ment would have been easy if the road 1 had agreed to confer on rules. H claimed for the employees a "biH O
 rights" embracing the eight-hour day
 over time. arrangement of worl1inj 1 shifts to provide contact with em ployes' families. rules of safety an,
 health of employees, seniority rights
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