Imperial Valley press., 1922-08-05
BROTHERHOOD
THREATENS
ACTION

Hope for settlement of the rail
road and coal strikes grew brighter
today.
President Harding met repre-
sentatives of the striking shopmen
in a conference this morning and
will meet representatives Of three
railroad brotherhoods later in the
day These sessions may lead to
a general conference with leaders
Of the strikers and the executives
at which a new peace plan will be
brought up.
Efforts of the coal operators of
y Illinois to negotiate separate
peace with the miners of that
state, seemed doomed to failure.
Frank harrington, president of the
Illinois miners said no action
would be taken on the proposals
until after Mondays meeting in
Cleveland between spokesman Of
the strikers and the operators, at
which efforts will be made to agree
OIL settlement of the whole con-
troversy.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.--Presidcnt
Harding, in his effort to find Il sou-
tion for the menacing rail strike, may
suggest that the big obstacle in the
path of n settlement-the seniority
question-be submitted to the labor
board for determination and that both
the executives and strikers agree to
abide by its decision.
1t was learned that the president
has this plan under consideration and
he may submit it to b. NJ. Jewell, head
of the shopmen and William Johnston
% v...a e.
ences that probably will be held at
the White House later today.
Brotherhoods Determined
Threat of absolute paralyzation of
the country hangs over the railroad
strike situation, administration Off
cials admitted today after thorough
study of the telegram Of the chiefs of
the Big Four railroad brotherhoods,
asking for conference with President
Harding.
Disturbing significance was attached
to the following PARAGRAPH of the tele
gram:
"We fear that continuation of
these conditions will inelitably result
in our members, as n matter of self
protection, being Drawn into the con
troversy and we greatly deplore such
a contingency
"These conditions, include the dang
er to the safety of brotherhood mem
bers through deterioration of loco
motives, violation of safety statutes
and rules, the refusal of the railroad
executives to accept the Harding set
tlement proposal and the plain inten-
ton of the railroads to crush the shop.
crafts unions,'' the telegram enum-
Grated.
Harding May Modify Plan
Administration officials believe the
telegram is conclusive evidence that
the big brotherhood chiefs fear they
cannot hold their 1,250000 members in
line much longer and that a settle
ment must be reached to avoid com
pletc stoppage of transportation.
That President Harding realizes the
significance of this sudden turn of
events is evidenced by his action in call
ing several leaders of the strikers to
Washington. Bert M. Jewell, president
of the shopcrafts union; William
Johnston, president of the machinists
union, and James Noonan, president of
the electrical workers union, were due
at the White House about noon.
1t is understood that Harding may
have q new offer to make to the strik
ers more acceptable to the rail execu-
tives.
Harding to Meet Brotherhood
Assurances came from the White
House that Harding would meet the
three leaders of the four brotherhoods
who wish tc warn the president that
the present policy of the rail execu,
tives which they charge to be one OF
smashing the unions and the rapid de-
terioration of engines and equipment,
may force these powerful labor organ
izations to quit work.
The move of the brotherhoods, cast
ing a shadow of complete tieup OF the
nation s railroads caused genuine alarm
i'm official circles and caused the gov
ernment to redouble its efforts to-
ward u settlement.
B. M. Jewell of the shopmen, William
Johnston of the machinists, and James
Noonan Of the electrical workers. went
into conference with President Harding
about 80 clock. 1t was announced
that the Washington representatives or
the three of the Big Four railroad bro
therhoods, would see the president at 3
O'Clock and ask q conference with the
executive for three brotherhood chiefs.
Executives Wont Agree
Should President Harding ask the ex'
ecutives and shopmen to submit the
question of seniority to the labor board,
it would be based on She president Is
belief that both the carriers and the