Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-08

for general conference Friday the heads
of all railroad labor organizations to
consider methods of cooperation thai
might make the strike more effective
The rail executives had made no re
sponse to the White House Monday
though press dispatches indicated that
they also would meet to frame a col
lectiye answer.
Labor Men Confer
b NJ. Jewell. president of the rail
way employees department of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor; w. II. John
ston. head of the machinists associa-
ton. and J. 2. Noonan. comprising
committee representing the striking
unions. took the presidents communi-
cation into conference. later calling
in II. f. Wills of the engineers. Paul
Stephens of the trainmen and Arthur
J. Lowell of the firemen and engine
men. all three being Washington rep
resentatives of brotherhood organiza-
tions in the train service. which usually
have acted apart from the labor unions
in other branches Of service.
President Hardings new proposal
for settling the railroad strike ap-
parently advances no constructive
program leaders of the striking shop
craftsmen announced after a protract-
ed conference.
Says Harding for Roads
Mr.. Jewell said the presidents set
tlement proposals constituted "a most
uncalled for attempt to help the rail-
roads break the strike" and added that
nobody ought to get the idea the shop
federations will accept
The union chiefs, following the meet
ing, gave out a statement which was
taken as foreshadowing their course.
and copies of telegram to w. 5.
Stone. chief of the engineers, and to
f. ]. Maion. president of the tel
egraphers. asking their cooperation In
the formulation of program which
would have for its purpose protection
of the public. preservation of the rail
road industry and an honorable basis
of settlement.
"Messrs. Noonan, Johnston and
Jewell have been in conference several
hours, considering the proposal made
by the president Monday" the state
ment said. I'VE have requested the
chief executives of all the striking shop
crafts unions and the stationary fire
men and oilers TO meet us here We'd
nesday of this week.
I'VE also have urgently requested by
telegraph and telephone that confer
ence of all executives of all railroad
board organizations be held in Wash
ington Friday. August IL.
I'VE have requested this conference
because we recognize that railroad en-
ploves not now on strike will. in de-
fense of the travelling public and them
selves. necessarily have to decline to
operate defective locomotives and cars
now in service.
Say More Unsafe Daily
1T is clear to any unbiased person
that railroad equipment is growing
more unsafe each day and relief must
be had through an honorable settle
mcnt.
Employees now on strike are firm in
their position and will continue SO long
as the Association of Railway Execu-
tives declines TO accept reasonable
terms of agreement"
In their message to Mr.. Stone the
hree union officials emphasized their
conclusion that the government has
authority to settle ''the strike on the
lust, fair and reasonable basis pro-
posed by the president July 81"
However. it is now apparent that
10 conservative program is being pro-
,osed,' the telegram continued, "and
hat unless the railroad employees can
,ffer additional counsel and advice, the
ives and safety Of employees and
ravelling public, already endangered
" the continued use Of defeciv. rail-
'oad equipment will be imperilled to
.rater extent. Believing that the chief
of each of the standard rail
'Oad labor organizations. as result of
heir years of experience. broad public
'iewpoint and sincere desire for in
lustrial peace, can, by conference with
he officers of she shop crafts. for
nulate a program having for its pur-
,ose, protection of the public preser
'ation of railroad industry and an hon
'rable base Of settlement for the man.
lgers sld the employees. we urgently
recommend that you. - chairmen OF !