Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-16
EVENTS OF A WEEK,

EVENTS OF A WEEK.
The developments of the week indicate that thu
shopmen' strike is about over, largely through thu
process of disintegration. As a result of severa
conferences an agreement has been entered into by
the strike officials and about fifty railroad companies
Tor the return of the striking employees Of these
roads to work at the wages fixed by the labor board
and against which wages the strike was declared
The situation as to seniority under this agreement is
at present obscure. The agreement is that the strik.
ers are to return to work within 30 days, but the
subject OF seniority is not mentioned by name. The
provision that strikers are to have their former
classiflcations would indicate retention Of seniority
rights, but there is also a provision that new en-
ployes are to be retained, and that all unsettled
questions are to be settled BY arbitration by a board
on which both parties are to have equal representa-
ton.
The strike having been called because Of the
refusal OF the strikers to accept the wage award of
the labor board, the agreement of the strikers to re-
turn to work at the wages prescribed constitutes all
abandonment of the one issue which was advanced
as the reason for the strike. The strikers have
therefore failed to score on the issue on which the
strike was called, and have improved their position
in no other particular.
While it is understood that fifty railroad COM
panies have agreed to the terms of settlement pro-
posed, the principal northwestern roads are not in
CluQeu III tHS agreement. ne managers or THESE
roads take the position that they have entered into
agreements with their loyal old employees and with
; new men whom they have invited into the service
which they must fulfill, and that they will stand by
the declaration which they have already made that
if the strikers re-enter the service it must be as new
employees.
Reports of car movements throughout the coun-
try indicate a considerably improved condition since
the preceding week, and most of the roads report a
substantial increase in the. number of men at work.
In some sections certain mail trains have been dis
continued, but it is not clear whether this is because
of coal shortage or because of impaired condition of
rolling stock due to the strike.
\ \ X 4
The termination of the coal strike has been fol-
lowed by very largely increased coal shipments, es-
pecially of soft coal. The movement of soft coal
from the mines has been so rapid that the Lake Erie
docks have become crowded and in some cases a
temporary coal embargo has been declared in order
that the handling of the vast quantities being turned
out may be facilitated. Large quantities Of soft coal
are being received at Duluth, and the prospects are
for the arrival of anthracite in corresponding guam
titles within about two weeks.
The government is putting forth every possible
effort to prevent the charging Of extortionate prices
for coal on account Of the shortage. A conference
has been in progress in Washington to bring about a
voluntary agreement among the dealers to. prevent
1898 P'HSNS's NiN nag OCCl DIGS
ent at this conference, and has declared that the
average prices charged for coal are outrageous.
** X X
While a practical settlement of the rail strike
has been reached proceedings in the injunction case
have been in progress regardless of any actual or
prospective settlement. The injunction against the
strikers issued by Judge Wiikerson> was continued
Tor ten days in>order to permit the presentation Of
evidence, and the government has just concluded the
presentation Of evidence in support of its request
tor 2 permanent injunction: The hearing has been
adjourned until Monday, when the strikers will have
an opportunity to present their side of the case.
\ + =
The tariff bill may be said to be temporarily up
lin the air. The bill as reported by the conference
committee was returned to the senate by the house,
suit is in doubt. Congressman Fordney is quoted
as saying that there will be, no tariff legislation be-
fore winter, while Senator McCumber is hopeful
that s an agreement may yet be reached.
Primary elections in Massachusetts,, Michigan
and Washington resulted in the denomination of
Senators Lodge, Townsend and Poindexter. Polit-
sical observers who saw in earlier primary results
evidences that a political revolution was under way
are now trying to reconcile these more recent re-
suits with that view, and they are having a rather
difficult time.
Tht3 signal defeat Of the Greeks by the Turks
in Asia Minor, with the capture Of SMYRNA. the
burning of q large part Of the city, and doubt as to
the tate Of large numbers Of foreigners in that city
snaye marked the week ii the Near East. Europe
and America alike have been watching tie develop-
fnents arxiousiy, and steps have been taken for the
military protection OF the innperiled foreigners by
European and american forces.
T%&a@s& A@A# Il @MAM&x
sS@s TThs control$of ConstantinopIe and the Darda-
Snellek gSinloorn aAIp as an issue to- BE disposed Of.
Thus far there seems to Be general agreement that
ity and strait must not again pass into the con
stSol 81 ne Iurk4