Evening journal., 1922-08-11
RAILPEACE,
OR RMOREWAR,
IN BALANCE
Road Executives and Union
Leaders in Separate
Conferences Today
BILL In CONGRESS
T0TAKE OVER ROADS

(CoDtinued From First Page.)
iahor organizations and President
Harding and his cabinet.
The most important conference OF
the three admittedly was the meet
ing here OF the leaders OF the 1s
railroad labor organizations, includ-
ing the four brotherhoods.
With sporadic strikes OF rail
workers other than the shopmen be-
coming more numerous each day,
and union labor feeling that the rail-
roads are out TO smash the unions,
the belief prevailed here today that
the full strength OF all the railroad
organizations might be thrown into
the strike on the side OF the shop
men as the result OF today's con-
ference.
Shopmen's leaders met to consid-
er President Hardlngs proposal
that the seniority question be sub
mitted to the Railroad Labor Board.
but its rejection Is regarded as GER
tain.
At the same time executives OF the
roads met in New York to consider
the proposal.
The answer OF the shop crafts
leader may contain a suggestion for
settlement. While Harding's pro-
poSal in its present form Is held
unacceptable. the leaders may sug-
gest modification, including a de-
mand for absolute guarantees from
the railroad executives that they
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 put the seniority question up TO
the board. that the strikers shall not
be required TO return to work un-
til a decision is handed down.
Bert NJ. Jewell. head OF the shop
crafts unions. probably will delay
his anwswer until Monday or Tues
day. The answer. he said, will be
placed before the general confer
ence FOR suggestion and advice"
It's tone probably will be determined
by the action OF the railroad execu-
tives. Harding and his cabinet,
4NaAA@Aht NAAN ANAAg VI AAAN oAAheAA AAUAAf
discussed plans for combating
spread OF the strike. with the House
practically ordered to reconvene
next Tuesday. Harding wants to be
fully prepared to go before Congress
with a comparative problem for re-
lieving the situation. He Is expected
10 ask for additional legislation 10
enable him TO take over some. or all
the railroads. and already a bill Civ
ing the executive board powers OF
this character has been drafted by
Senator Cummins. chairman OF the
Senate interstate commerce COM
mittee.
Members OF the House and Senate.
under pressure from their constitu-
ents who are feeling the pinch Of
the two strikes are ready TO go to
unusual legislative lengths in deal
ing with the situation. IL the other
efforts 10 bring the strikers and en-
ployers TO a reasonable frame OF
mind fail.
A careful canvass OF House and
Senate members indicates that there
Is more sentiment today for drastic Z
legislation, even anti-strike legisla |
tion than has existed in Congress for !
a long time. The longer the strike |
continues the worse popular indigna-
ton will become, members OF Con- /
gress pointed out, and the demand I
for action by Congress will Increase. !
In a Congressional election year the
response to a popular demand of this
sort is likely to be reasonably
prompt, experienced legislators said.
Hence, Congress Is waiting almost
impatiently for Harding to outline
some legislative method OF meeting
the situation. II Is safe TO predict,
leaders said that once Harding asks
Congress to act the legislative ma
chinery will be set in motion almost
Immediately.
NEW YORK. Aug. IL Omitted
Press). - Railroad executives, be-
lieved hopelessly divided on the
plan OF President Harding to refer
the seniority rights of the striking
shopmen to the United States ltail-
road Labor Board, met here today
to agree on a reply to the President.
L. F. Loree, president OF the Della
ware and Hudson Railroad. led the
bitter end" contingent Of executives
who went into the conference bent
on turning down the adminlstra-
TONS latest project for ending the
rail strike.
other executives. II was believed.
we're in favor OF drawing up a coun-
ter propoasl.
Many western executives sub