Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-08-14
Believed Real Key to Sit
uation Held by Four
Brotherhoods
OFFICIALS ATTITUDE
And Extent of Support to
Probably Determine
Action of Crafts
CBy Associated press ,

Washington, August l4.-The ex-
ecutives having submitted their con-
ditional acceptance to President
Harding and departed and with the
goernment outwardly marking time
without having indicated whether it
would attempt further compromise,
developments today in the rail strike
settlement parley lay in the hands Of
the union organizations who still
had before them the proposal Of the
president that the railroad labor
board be permitted to settle the ques-
ton of seniority, the principal re-
naming bone of contention in the dis
pute.
In many quarters it was believed
the real key to the situation was held
by the four railway brotherhoods
and that the attitude of their officials
and the extent of their support would
determine in a large measure the ac-
ton of the striking crafts. Though
it had been said the striking shop
mems chiefs had prepared state
ment rejecting the presidents pro-
posal, the fact that this statement
, has been withheld from publication
up to the time the conferences of
union leaders reassembled this morn
ing was taken as an indication there
still was a possibility they recon-
slider.
There also was seen a possibility
that no decision would be forthcom-
ing for a day or so and in this con-
nection some significance was at
% tached to the statement of L. E.
Sheppard, president of the Order of
" Railway Conductors, last night that
", the four brotherhood chairmen would
continue to act as committee of me-
= diation until congress gets back
into session"
= The executives answer to Presi-
- dent Harding was submitted by T.
- Dewitt CuyIer, chairman of the As
- sociation of Railway Executives, who
~ with others of the committee repre-
|,' - senting the executives, was in long
~ Sunday conference with the presi-
" dent. In a statement later Mr.. Guy
~ ~, Ter said the executives at their meet
" ing in New York Friday had with
practical unanimity responded favor
ably to the presidents call"
Approximately three-quarters OF
the mileage represented, Mr.. CuyIer
said, voted favorably for resolution
=, providing that all striking shopmer
II be re-employed, while the remainder
desired that the strikers be re-em
ployed "as far as practicable"
- The chief condition upon which tn,
ted majority voted acceptance as shown
IN in his statement was that 'such &C
me ceptance involves no : Irrender o
the principles with respect to senior
cl- ity adopted by the carriers August
On 1922" Also there was insistenc
rIS that the labor board pass upon tn
MS relative seniority of loyal employee
lte who remained at work and new EN-
: ployees who have since accepted serv
ice with the strikers, who may re
enter the service.
IN The majority acceptance furthe
"" provided that striking employees
ot assigned to their former position
cal where vacancies exist and that wher
'"e their former positions have been fill
ed, other employment of the sam
class be found for them. The minO
en- lity resolution provided for restorin
ssh - former positions to strikers on
l'S, where vacancies exist.
anu When the executives left the in
aui preston prevailed among them tn
the strike would be fought out to
a' finish and that the government wOu
''ng not attempt further effort at cor
rcn' promise. Union leaders, howvee
ioc- said mediation and compromise G
forts would be continued. There W
no statement from the white hou
or administration sources.