New-York tribune., 1922-07-05
Union Officials UrgeW ork-
ers to Take Up Disputes
WithR Roads +; Given Right
of Way Before Tribunal
General Walkout
Believed Blocked
Chicago Negotiations Also
May Prevent Strike of
Clerks and Freight Men
By Gilman Parker

Dy AIklA1SaIA I dIACI
CHICAGO, July 4.-Oficials Of
the railway maintenance Of way
union, representing 100000 men on
all railroads, tonight cancelled their
threatened strike by agreement with
the United States Railroad Labor
Beard.
At the conclusion Of an all-day
conference in the Offices Of the Labor
Board, union chiefs agreed to with
hold an order to their men to strike,
which, had the agreement not been
reached, would have been dispatched
tonight or tomorrow.
Instead, they drew up and dis
patcheNa letter to their union locals,
advising them of their action, and
informing them of the following con-
cessions attained for their organiza-
ton through comp lct with Ben W.
Hooper, chairman If the Labor
Beard, and Walter L. McMenimen,
one Of the labor members Of the
board:
That the union chairman on each
railroad of the country shall en-
deavor to obtain settlement of ex-
listing differences between his road
and the men he represents.
hot in, ho nf fni IN,
this connection, he bring such differ
ences before the Labor Board for
adjustment, "with the assurance that
they shall be given the right of way
for prompt consideration and deci-
sion"
It was the opinion in railroad circles
here tonight that this action will very
seriously cripple the strike Of railroad
membership of more than 100000, If it
does not eventually prove death blow
to the walk-out.
May Halt Clerks Strike
Also, it is believed, it will halt the
threatened strike OF clerks, freight
handlers, station employees and signal
men. numbering about $4,000, accord
ing to the figures of the two organiza-
tions embracing these class.s Of
workers.
Thus, indications here tonight ara
that the rail strike w; ! be confined
solely to the six federated shop crafts
represented by B. M. Jewell. president
of the railway EMPLOYEES department
of the American Federation Of Labor
and possibly some members of the
stationary fremen and oilers, whose
5000 members got left-handed invita-
tion to go out wherever they deemed
it advisable from Timothy Healy, their
president.
The other chief development of the
day was the making public by Mr.
Jewell Of lette# TO the Labor Board
replying to the boards's resolution out.
lawing the shipments strike and
threatening the formation of rival
unions to be composed of men who re.
place them.
In this, communication Mr.. Jewel!
conrended that the shopmen were moi
combating the government, and as
sailed the board as having 'piaced it.
self in the position of being an arm
of an organized financial and employ
ing interest" which he pictured IS en-
gagged in campaign to cut wages anc
break up labor unions.
While the agreement reached by thu
maintenance mems executives and thu
Labor Board does not nullify the striks
order entirely, it withdraws it indefi
nitely, pending the carrying out OF thu
program as outlined in the letter Il
the locals. This will require some
time, too long, it is estimated in some
quarters, for the maintenance men u
be useful to the shopmen in the fur.
of tho lafforsu strife
Local Leaders Oppose Strike
There is, however, still some dyna
mite left in the situation, so far as the
maintenance men are concerned, q!
some of their number, mainly shop IA
borers, went out Saturday with ths
shopmen. Still more may go out 20
morrow, but confidence is expressed il
the ability of their union officials. WHIT
are the backbone Of their organization
to hold the great majority and get then
to obey orders.
Many of the local officials are op
posed to the strike, according to tn,
letters they sent their chief executives
along with the strike ballots, and thi'
was one Of the determining factors il
the agreement reached to-day.
"The shopmen may persuade quit,
u HumUSI VI tHtul " quiz, ~ WdS cdiu
'but at least 80 per cent will be bacl
at work by the end of the week"
To Continue Under Decision
Sole credit for averting the strik,
goes to Chairman Hooper and Mr.. Me
Menimen, OF the Labor Board; e. F
Cradle, president Of the Unite,
Brotherhood Of Maintenance of Wa,
Men and Railroad Shop Laborers. an,
y. C. Smock, W. D. Roberts, p. Woods
.. L. Erik, G. w. Planter, and j. ]
O'Grady, members Of HE brother
hoods executive board
with the best interests of the mem
bers Of our organization al heart,
reads the concluding paragraphs o
their letter, ut is our judgmant tha
more will be gained for them by th
program here outlined than could b
derived, from any other course. w
believe that just and generous pub
lie sentiment will sustain as IN thi
policy and every move necessary to it
accomplishment will be most vigorous
ly pressed"
The agreement with the Labor Boars
and as further outlined Ia the letSc,
- Al n