The New York herald., 1922-08-02
New Moves for Peace Will
Be in Hands of the Rail
Wage Board.
VIEW OF sen. CUMMINS
Discusses Relations of Inter
state Commerce to Present
Situation in Labor War.
Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
asain nrfox A.ac

Special Dtsputch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. Aug. 1.
While no official statement of any
kind has been made from the White
House. or by President Harding's ad
visers. it can be stated on good author.
ity that the President is chagrined anc
disappointed at the refusal of the AS.
, sociation OF Railway Executives tc
accept his proposal for settlement oi
the strike of railroad shopmen.
In some official quarters there were
expressions of surprise and in some in
stances of dismay at the turn in af-
fairs in both the railroad and coal
strikes
President Harding, however. is not
dsheartened, 1t is stated. though he
with other Administration leaders was
optimistic that his proposal was a fair
one and would be accepted by both sides
negotiation of settlement even IL the
details proposed were nor approved.
The only official statement made from
the White House In connection with the
situation was given at noon following
the Cabinet meeting, when the Presi-
dent made public the three proposals he
had laid down as the basis of agree
ment or settlement. The reply of the
Association OF Railway Executives to
his proposals was received at the White
House tonight. but no official comment
was forthcoming.
Surprise on Seniority.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in Wash
ington In connection with the action o.
the railway executives was the practi
caily unanimous rejection of the thirt
proposal on seniority. Many railwa,
executives had assured the Presiden
and Administration leaders that the.
were ready to treat with their men ans
to waive the seniority question. 1t wa
suggested here that they would be ;
force for the acceptance of the propo
sails made at least in principle.
Since the formal conferences betweei
the President and representatives of tn
executives as well as of the men, ther,
was a strong belief in official quarter!
that an adjustment would be reached
This belief was reflected by members o
the Cabinet. who were giving much o.
I
While Washington officials are not
prepared 10 be quoted they have not
abandoned hope. The President has
sought settlement by agreement between
the executives and the men without Gov
ernment or outside interference. His
next move, unless some break is seen
which will make n direct conference pos
sible, may carry suggestion or arbi-
tration on points on which direct agree
ment can not be reached or direct nego-
eiation Will not be undertaken.
Back OF the Presidents efforts toward
settlement lies the power Of the Govern
ment to protect the people by any means
possible in case OF a national emergency
or crisis. Should the railroads fail TO
function the President. acting through
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
has II in his power under the transpor-
tation act to see that performance is
given. even IL It ls necessary for the
Government to direct the railroads.
senator Cummins's View.
Many Senator's who have kept in close
touch with the situation and who have
been active In seeking a settlement were
apparently not greatly surprised when
they were informed OF tho refusal Of the
executives to accept the third Of the
Presidents proposals. Senator Cummins
(rowa) chairman of the 1nterntate
Commerce Committee and author of the
transportation act creating the railroad
labor board, said he was not surprised.
The Senator had been active In his
efforts toward railroad peace and had
conferred with the President before rail-
road executives and representatives OF
the shopmen were summoned to Wash
ington
From my conversations with the
contending factors" said Senator Cum
minis. Il realized the differences were
such as 70 be difficult to adjust. ] have
never been as optimistic over the out
look as many officials and the news
papers. As see II now there Is nc
settlement in sight OF the controversy
and the two factions have got to fight
IL out"
Senator Cuminins could offer no sug-
gestions TO meet the emergency and said
his committee would be likely to take
no further action In the matter. lie
was informed OF the break by one OF
the conferees soon after the meeting IN
New York adjourned.
II any further attempts are made
toward settlement OF the dispute the
President Is expected TO insist that both
sides accept decisions Of the railroad
labor board. az the properly Instituted
agency OF the Government for protec-
ton of the public In a strike crisis.
Every action so far taken by the Execu-
tive has held TO the ground that the
board was paramount.
Heavy Freight Movements.
with the expected strike settlement
put back indefinitely the Association OF
Railway Executives issued statement
In Washington to-day showing that re-
ports received by the car service divi-
sion indicated n greater volume OF
Continued on Page Two.
WHITE SULPHUR sPRINGs-tslorious now
10. rest and sport. Golf. tennis, horseback.
Famous baths. Overnight from N. Y.-Adv.