The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-08-31
Hearing by Board Halted
When Roads Bring in
New Problem.
RUSHING LEGISLATION
Senate and House Urge Bills
Which May Effect Settlement
of Coal and Rail Strikes.
by Associated Press Leased wire.)

cations of railroad employees. were
thrust forward by ten eastern rail-
roads today before the Railroad Labor
Board, when the United Brotherhood
Of Maintenance of Way Employees and
Railroad Shop laborers began hearing
on pdeas for an increase in minimum
wages from % to 48 cents an hour.
The seniority question, which has
been the chief stumbling block over
which efforts to end the railroad shop
mems strike have several times failed,
came to the front when John G. WAL
Der, representing eastern railroads,
questioned the right of the United
Brotherhood to represent employees on
the ten railroads named. In the same
wa ynew organizations were injected
into the proceedings when Mr.. Walberg
declared that as result Of strikes Of
maintenance men at points on the ten
lines, the maintenance union could not
represent the majority Of trackmen and
shop laborers on those roads.
e. F. Cradle, president of the main
tenance union, was given until to-
morrow morning to reply to Mr.. Wal
ber's contentious.
Hooper JOlts Unions.
Ben w. Hooper, chairman of the la
Dor board, pointed out thhat under de-
cision Number in 1920 in connection
with the switchmen's strike, the board
had ruled that strikers were outside
the jurisdiction of the board until they
returned to work. Chairman Hooper
asked that Mr.. Cradle consider that
decision of the board in making his
reply tomorrow.
The action of the ten eastern roads
took precedence in interest over the
submission of the union which not
only asked an increase in the minimum
wage rate, but also called for restora-
tion of time and one-half for work
over eight hours and the recognition
of a minimum cost of living for rail-
road workers
The hearing today, it was pointed
out by Chairman Hooper, was new
proceeding and not re-hearing of the
previous wage decision which became
effective last July when the rail-
way shopmen went on strike against
wage cuts and working conditions as
decided by the board.
w. Jett Lauck, labor statistician,
appeared before the board at the after
noon session and asked for an imme-
date ruling on the basic principle Of
living wage. He said he wanted the
board to apply the principle to the
adult unskilled workers and also
define the diffenential above basic liv-
ing wage for the skilled workers in
hazardous employment.
While committees of the senate and
house were at work today to perfect
coal distribution, legislation recon-
mended by the administration, Presi-
dent Harding and his advisers prepared
to bring to bear all the powers they
now possess for improvement of fuel
transportation facilities.
AS a result of the presidents week
end conferences it was indicated he
still believed it would be possible to
restore normal conditions without q
resort to government operation of raj
and coal properties effected by the
strike situation and that he felt much
could be done in that direction even
before congress acts to create a fuel
distribution agency and to clothe the
interstate commerce commission with
additional powers over priority.
Senate and House Busy.
At the same time, however, both the
senate and house interstate commerce
committees were redoubling their eff.
forts to complete the distribution and
priority bills.
With the presidents return to Wash
ington this morning from weekend
cruise in the yacht Mayfiower where
Secretary Hoover, Attorney Genera,
Daugherty and Chairman Cummins OF
the senate committee were among his
guests and conferees, it was indicated
the attentions of executive officials
would be conferred on the movement
of coal.
AS outlined in an authoritative quar-
ter, the Mayfower conference reached
the decision that the bituminous coal
situation was being cleared up, that
the anthracite strike was near settle
ment, and that if shipment of Goa
could be accelerated the general situa:
ton gradually would be re-establisheG
to complete stability.
Just what executive steps are in con.
temptation to facilitate coal shipments
was not revealed, but there were init.
nations that curtailment Of passen.
ger, express and freight traffic in al
commodities except fuel and essential
foodstuffs was among the possibilities
Chairman Cummins, who has advo
Gated steps to authorize presidential
operation of roads and mines, indicated
he might not offer at present the au.
thorizing legislation he has prepared
Possible action in that direction, it was
indicated, still was part of the gov,
eminent strike program if lesser meas.
ures do not prove effective.
Favorable to Cummins Bill.
The senate committee voted favor.
able report today on the Cummins bill
to create coal distribution agency anc
to extend the authority of the inter.
state commences commission over pri
GRITTY of shipments and It was indicated
the measure would probably be taker
up in the senate itself later in the
week. At the same time. the house