The Washington herald., 1921-10-21
Labor Board Powerless to
Recall 10 Per Cent
Wage Cut.
LEE SAYS WALKOUT
PLANS UNCHANGED
Barton Will Seek no Fur
ther Conferences With
Union Leaders.

CHICAGO. Oct. 2o.-Attempted
mediation Of the threatened trans
portatIon strike by the United
States Labor Board has resulted in
failure 10 reach definite results and
it appears that President Harding
may have TO personally enter the
struggle IL a solution is TO be ef-
fected
Labor board members tonight
predicted such a course as the next
step toward avoiding the strike
and brotherhood leaders indicated
they were again in the position OF
waiting for some suggestion that
would permit Of their calling on
the strike order issued.
The ''pac conference" between
the board and the FIVE leadrs OF the
train service brotherhoods, who
have called a strike to take effect
October 80, broke up here tonight
when the union leaders walked out
q the session and returned TO
Cleveland
At the conclusion OF the night
session, the board gave out the
following statement:
The labor board and the broth
erhood chiefs have had a full and
| frank discussion in perfectly
pleasant way The interview has
been beneficial, but We cannot saw
that any definite results have been
attained"
The disruption OF the conference,
/ il was stated by members Of the
board, followed inability Of the
| government body 10 give the broth
! erhood chiefs complete assurance
that recalling Of the strike order
would result in Withdrawal Of the
| 10 per cent wage decrease appIica-
ton that railroad executives intend
/ to file with the board.
I Al the conclusion of the after
noon conference the labor board
declared that progress was being
made and that an agreement was
possible.
The union leaders asked for two
hours 70 talk over the suEges-
tons Of the board. but led by war-
| rem S. Stone. grand chief Of the en-
gineers. they returned TO the con-
/ ference in a grim frame Of mind.
The night session lasted less than
two hours. Suddenly the broth
erhood leaders emerged from the
/ chambers. hurried TO the elevator
and returned 70 their hotel.
Going Back TO Cleveland.
Anything that is said about this
. conference will have TO come from
| Chairman Barton" said w. G. Lee.
president OF the trainmen. We are
/ through here and are going hack
to get on the job in Cleveland IA
the morning."
The strike is still on them he
was asked
Nothing has happened to change
our plans" he replied
! Chairman Barton declared that
no further effort would be made by
the board to confer with the broth
erhoods
I'VE have had our discussion and
so far as we know there will he
no othr between the board and the
/ brotherhoods on the question OF
this controversy he said.
The quick end Of the parley came
as a complete surprise to the
! board, it was stated. At the after
noon adjournment Chairman Barton
snd other members Of the board
were in an amicable frame OF mind
II was thought then that the men
would accept the suggestion Of the
board 90 delay any APPLICATION Of the
roads for further wage cuts. The
leaders were assured that the $500
I 100000 wage cut Of last July would
he translated into freight rate re-
auctions. They were told that no
immediate cut in wages would he
granted.
When the men returned. It was
stated by one board member. they
demanded that immediate action he
taken to assure them that no fur
4 Their wage cuts would be granted.
The board was forced to reply that
this promise could not he given. a.
the matter was one over which they
have no control
Even with the disruption Of the
conference here and the declaration
OF the brotherhood chiefs that their
purpose in putting the strike into
effect October 80 has not been chang
ed. members OF the board declared
that all hopes OF a satisfactory end
ing OF mediation before the strike
is called are not gone.
] Inc pTotneGhOod chlets VIII prob
ably be called 10 Washington within
a few days" said one public member.
The brotherhood chiefs who re-
fused TO accept the governments
peace offer are: Warren S. Stone.
grand chief OF the Brotherhood Of
Engineers; W. s. Carter. president
Of the Brotherhood OF Firemen ana
Enginemen; L f. Sheppard, pres
ident Of the Order Of Railway Con-
ductors; I. c. Cashen. president OF
the Switchmen's Union OF North
| America
Immediately following the concIu-
sion Of the parley OF the brother
hoods with the Labor Board, 100
chiefs OF the Federated Shop Crafts
went into session at the Great North.
ern Hotel. These unions have not
yet issued any strike call