Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-11
OBy United PrcSS)

Washington, Aug. 11.-EXtension of
the paralyzing effect of the railway
shipments strike seemed probable as
the heads of the 16 railroad labor or
ganizations, including the powerful
Big Four" brotherhoodS, met here to-
day to decide upon a program of unit
ed action in the meracirg controversy.
The conference opened shortly be-
fore II O'Clock with few of the rail
leaders absent, because OF late trains.
Although the labor chieftains re-
fused to make statements in advance
of the conference, it was evident that
they believed the organized railroad
workers now are facing one Of the
greatest industrial struggles in his
tory, and that the time has come for
all to stand together.
From the conference is expected to
come a warning that the brotherhood
members and others will be forced to
quit work, if equipment is allowed to
deteriorate much more, and armed
railroad guards continue to shoot
down workers, as has been charged by
the unions.
With union leaders steadfastly be-
lieving that the rail executives hone
to smash the unions through the strike
the labor chieftains in their meeting
today may throw down the gauntlet to
the railroad owners end inform them
that they are ready to fight to the fin
ish on the issue Of preservation Of
their unions.
The conference also is expected TO
warn President Harding that the spo-
radic strikes of other railroad work
ers throughout the country such as
those on the Santa Fe. the Elgin, Jo-
liet and Eastern and other roads are
but evidences Of the growing restless
ness and discomfort on the part Of the
rail workers.
Washington, Aug. 11.-Peace on
the railroads. or continued war. with
the probability of extension of the
strike to the Big Four Brotherhoods
and federal intervention, were wrap
ped up in separate conferences to-
day between railroad executives, lead
ers of the sixteen railroad labor or
ganizations, and President Harding
and his cabinet.
The most important conference of
the three admittedly was the meet
ing here of the leaders of the Is rail
road labor organizations, including
the powerful Big Four Brotherhoods.
With sporadic strikes of rail work
ers other than the shopmen becom-
ing more numerous each day. and
union labor feeling that the railroads
are out to smash the unions. the be-
lief prevailed here today that the
full strength of all the railroad or
ganizations might be thrown into the
strike on the side of the shopmen
as the result of today's conference.
Shopmen's leaders will meet to con-
slider President Harding's proposal
that the seniority question be sum
mitted to the railroad abor Board,
but its rejection is regarded as GER
tain.
At the same time executives of
the roads will be meeting in New
York to consider the proposal.
The answer Of the shop crafts lead
ers may contain a suggestion for
settlement.
While President Harding's proposal
in its present form is held unaccen-
table. the leaders may suggest modi-
fication, including a demand for ab-
solute guarantees from the railroad
executives that thcv will abide by
the decisions Of the Railroad Labor
Board. In addition to this the union
leaders may ask that in the event
they decide later to mt the seniority
question up to the board that the
strikers shall not be required to re-
turn to work until a decision is hand
ed down.
Bert NJ. Jewell. head of the shop
crafts unions. probably viii DELAY
his answer until MoTdav or Tuesday.
The answer, he said, will be placed
before the general conference 'for
suggestion and advice" It's tone prob