The New York herald., 1921-04-08
HARDING ASKED TO CALL
NEW RAIL CONFERENCE
Workers Would Have Both
Sides Discuss Rule.

CHICAGO, April Five railroad labor
unions with 100000 members tonight
submitted TO President Harding labor's
plan for ending industrial disputes be-
tween the roads and their workers, pro-
posing that the President call con-
ference Of representatives OF both sides
at which new rules governing working
conditions would be worked out to take
the place Of the national agreements.
now In dispute before the Railroad
Labor Board.
The proposal was contained in a
statement by representatives OF the five
mechanical unions and was sent to the
President by b. W. Jewell. president of
the railway employees department or
the American Federation of Labor.
1t proposed that all wage disputes be
held in allegiance pending the confer
ence, holding that the matter OF wages
could be quickly adjusted 10 the salts
fnctiou OF all as soon as the question of
rules had been settled.
The telegram was sent in response to
a request from President Harding at the
recent conference he held with Mr..
Jewell that labor submit its plan for
ending the railroad Industrial troubles.
Tho telegram 10 the President was
signed by J. II. Anderson, vice-presi-
dent Of the International Association or
Machinists: Edward Tegtmeyer, vice.
president. international Brotherhood OF
Blacksmiths, Dropforgers and Helpers
Of America William Atkinson. assistant
president International Brotherhood OF
BoilernalSers. Iron Shipbuilders and
Helpers or America: J. w. Burns. rep
resenting Amalgamated Metal Workers
/ International Alliance: Edward J. Ev-
ans. representing International Brother
hood OF Electrical Workers, and Mar
tin r. Ryan. general president Brother
hod Railway Car Men Of America.
The statement said the unions did not
contend for continuation or any rule
which WIS not Just and that II would
be easy 10 decide At the proposed con-
I ference what rules could be made ma
tonal ana what matters would have
I to be settled locally.
"Our present national 9grec'nent pro-
yidcS the only safeguard for the trans
portation industry against injustice and
Industrial warfare. and for this reason
II must not be discontinued until az
the conference table an understanding
has been had by mutual agreement as
to the fundamental guarantees Of in
4 dustrial justice" said the statement in
4 part.
1--WE recommend. therefore. tho follow
ing:
! "That conference committee be
\ called composed Of practical mechanical
u department officials from each Of the
\ general managers districts TO represent
4 the carriers and an equal number ~
representatives. selected by the onl-
Y ployecs - represent the employees. rms
I conference committee should agrec what
Y disposition OF any rule Il might deem
4 impracticnble of general application.
4 They should attempt 10 agree Oh such
4 rules as can be made general In their
application upon all railroads IN SO far
/ ~ II Is possible TO have such uniformity
/ without imposing any unjust or unrea-
/ sonablc conditions, and thoy should rec
\ ognize those principles and safeguards
I which the members of our organizations
4 consider to be fundamental and irreduci-
I bic.
/ "Ius. a. our forcfathers in 1876 de-
ciarcd that certain principles of Freedom
4 wcru 10 evident and lnalienable. 20 w
! eiay our members mold that the following
principles are self-spidsnt and inslien-