Norwich bulletin., 1921-10-19

Nashington, Oct. 1S.-The threatened ralroad strike was recognized in high oiIlcial circles today as having develop cd into the first real test of the practica oiIlty of the railroad labor board. The outcome of the negotiations now in pro- gress. it was declared, would determine whether an entirely futile" agency has been created
 ProIainent in the defence put forward by labor leaders in every controversy in lhe past II was pointed out, was the plea that there was no legally constituted body before which they could law their grievances. or to whose impartial tudg- ment they could submit petitions for re- Aet. With the labor board expressly created to fill this gap, assurance was given today that it would be permitted 10 have free hand in it's efforts to meet the initial test provided by the dis agreement of the railroads and their em- rloyes over wage schedules and work ing conditions
 With virtually every effort toward averting the walkout scheduled to begin October 30, centered in Chicago, the gov ernment today had completed it's de- fensive plans and was watching develop uents- The cabinet gave only passive" attention 10 the subject at it's regular meeting and there was no official state
  coming from any branch of the govern uent.
 While authoritative information still was lacking as to the basis upon which the labor board was proceeding. the inn p-Cssion was given that it involved some features, at least, of the suggestion put forward by the public members of the beard Sunday as "one feasible p!an," for preventing the tie-up.
 The probability that official sanction would be given to the proposal that the July wage reduction be offset immediate ly by proportiOnate fl eight rate de creases was discussed in high official circles. In case this was adopted as the governments compromise plan, the test rf tha railroad boards authority would arise immediately, 1t was pointed out, in the question of its acceptance by either CT both of the parties to the controversy.
 Entirely apart from the suggestion of the public group, official intimation was given that a freight rate reduction was being considered. There was no indi- cation as to the factors upon which such rate revision would be formulated, or how soon decision by the proper gov trnmental agencies could be expected.
 was indicated that the entire sup port of the government would be given lhe labor board in it's efforts to reach a settlement of the controversy and that other government agencies would be in- rtructed 10 cooperate actively. In case the settlement involves modification of inc present rate schedules, the procedure would include a petition from the labor board to the interstate commerce com mission which has jurisdiction for the necessary rate change.
 With respect to his conference with the public group members here yester' day, Attorney General Daugherty said today that he had gone over with then every angle of the law under which the board operates and had examined into legal arguments and court decisions GOV erinr various conspiracy eases in thu past. Whether this reference had any thing to do with the possible use of thu tniunction. MT. Daugherty declined tC uav. He declared, however, that the de sartrnent of justice expected to maintain silence on phases of the strike unti -aIIed upon for action, adding that 1 that time should come the government legal branch would be ready.
 The department is concerned with tn reports of public to the transportation facilities. MT. Daugherty said addin' hat the claims of each side to the con .roversy would and should be given con rderation. He held, however, that tn keeping open of the traffic lines wa psramont.
 White House officials declined again t I1scuss the possibility of the brotherhoo .h-efs being called to Washington by tn president