The New York herald., 1922-07-26
RAIL STRIKE BACK
TO THE WAGE BOARD
Continued from First Page.

contingency became a reality.
Two definite courses of action, it is
lntimated, present themselves at the
moment-first. the use of coercion and
the powers the Government has to
compel acquiescence in whatever rul-
ing or suggestion the board makes for
a settlement; second, the granting to
the board of powers to enforce its de-
crees by providing penalties for non
compliance
Reports submitted at the Cabinet
session indicated that transportation
conditions were very uneven in diff
realized that the strike of the shop
men will be reflected in progressive
deterioration rather than In the i'm
mediate effects on equipment.
In some places the effect Of the
closing up of repairing machinery is
already being keenly felt, and the
movement of raw material to essential
industries is being crippled. This is
particularly the case with coal, which
is damned up in large quantities at
some of the mines for lack of trans
portation facilities. 1t is this condi-
ton Of affairs that convinces the Ad-
ministration that for the moment at
least the railroad question presents the
more difficult and acute aspect of The
industrial crisis. The feeling in the
Cabinet is that If the railroad strike
were settled the Government would be
in very good position to ward off
the immediate dangers from a coal
shortage.
The Seniority issue.
While no intimation was forthcom-
ing as to what the railroad labor
board would do next, it was regarded
as probable that this body might as
sumo Jurisdiction Of the seniority
question, which It has been all along
admitted Is the fundamental factor op-
Grating against a speedy agreement.
Without saying the board would
take UP the question of seniority or
suggest to the executives that mas
much as the shop crafts were willing
to accept the wage cut and agree to
rehearing If the executives should
restore seniority rights. one member
OF the Cabinet prominent in the crisis
facing tho Administration declared his
belief that the board was competent
to take up the question. In view of
| this and the statement from the White
House that settlement hinges on ac-
ceptance OF the boards authority, It is
believed probable that the board may
Nave something to say on this pivotal
question within a few days.
The Administration was anxiously
awaiting the result of the conference
between Daniel Willard, president OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and
his men. A settlement with the strik-
ing employees Of this road, 1t was ex-
pected. would have considerable in
fluence with the other roads that are
holding out against yielding any point
to the strikers.
1t is not stated here that the union
leaders can hold their men on the In
dividual roads If these men can get a
satisfactory agreement by separate
bargaining. There is good deal OF
politics among the labor leaders, and
lit Is known that some Of them would
not hesitate to grind their own axes a,
/
the union heads put so much stress.
Status of New Men.
Taking the situation as a whole, the
Administration does not believe the
restoration of seniority, to which the
Eastern executives are so strongly op-
posed, would mean a great amount oi
I fal
on since the strike. A great many oi
these, ii was pointed out. are of the
floating" variety, men who go hithei
and thither and remain not long ir
any one place.
While It Is regarded as quite natu-
raj that executives should want to rec.
ompense faithful employees, there !!
a very distinct feeling that some Of the
roads are more concerned over the
punishment of the strikers than will
the rewarding OF faithfulness. This
attitude is not favored by the Admin.
istration.
One of the few optimistic state
ments made at to-day's session re
lated TO the movement of United
States mail. Postmaster Genera
| Works assured the Cabinet that mai
I was moving satisfactorily in all part
of the country and that the steps
already taken may be relied upon L
insure its continued movement unless
| general dislocation is accelerated.
Despite the Presidents insistenc,
on the Railroad Labor Board as thu
body through which a settlement mus
be effected some members of the Cabi
net cling TO the belief that IL must b'
given teeth" before IL can become
really effective instrumentality of th'
Government in such crisis as this.
| One member OF the Cabinet strongly
lntimated that the proper way to e.
at the matter would be to restore t
the board the powers for infiictinf
| penalties which the Senate original,
included in the transportation act. bu
which the House struck out. HI
| pointed significantly to the power
given to the Interstate Commerce
Commission to compel acceptance o
it's awards. Those powers 1t is be
lieved could be used in the last resor
by the Administration to bring rail
roads to terms In the same way as Il
Is now proposed 10 use them TO pre-.
vent coal profteerinE by denyinr
transportation facilities 70 coal opera
tors who take advantage Of the cmcr.
gency to gouge the public.