The New York herald., 1922-07-01
RAIL MEN SIT TIGHT
WAITING FOR ACTION
Noncommittal in Face of
Labor Leaders Confidence in
General Walkout.

The operating managers Of the prin-
cipal Eastern roads entering New York
professed yesterday to be as much in
the dark az rhey have been regarding
what developments TO expect when the
Jewell ultimatum becomes effective on
the shopmen at 10 o'clock this morning.
The failure of Bert NJ. Jewell. head of
the shop crafts to attend the hearing
fixed by the Railway Labor Board In
Chicago yesterday was accepted by some
as indicating a collapse OF the move
ment under which he hoped TO call out
400 900 shopmen all over the country
None of the executives would venture
to predict what will happen to-day. Ne
gotiations between individual roads and
their employees in several cases have
reached a stage where a prediction
might be r1isconstrued as threat and
accordingly the operating heads are
sitting tight awaiting developments.
1--WE think Mr.. Jewell is in for big
surprise tomorrow" one of them said.
do you mean in the number of men
who will refuse to go out. or In the
preparations OF the roads to COMBAT
general striker" ne was asked.
You may take It either way you like
was the answer.
Report ''No Developments"
The executive heads of the Lehigh
system had not been advised last night
regarding what action was taken by the
employees representatives at confer
ence on Thursday at Sayre, when. 1t IS
understood, the Jewell ultimatum was
discussed. Headquarters of the Lacka-
wanna, New York Central, Erie ana
other roads, Association of Railway
Executives and the bureau of informa-
ton of the Eastern railways all re-
ported no developments had taken
place.
While several locals Of the shopmen's
organization are known to have received
official sanctions from Chicago for e.
general walkout to-day there was notn-
ing to indicate wholesale observance OF
the order was being considered. On the
contrary the indications were the o;her
way with the general opinion neld
among the executives that Jewell had
burt his cause by his refusal to inees
the railroad labor board in conference
with the executives.
John c. Ready. president OF the en-
ployees' federation OF the New forh,
New Haven and Hartford, was one OF
the labor men who predicted a senerai
cessation of work in the shops of tins
New Haven. He said:
'I expect shops all over the system
will be entirely cleaned out Tomorrow
and l hope we will not receive any in
formation to the contrary"
Even should the number going out
meet approximately the predictions or
ths labor leaders here and in Chicago the
effect will not be felt Immediately.
Most of the car shops will close down as
a matter Of retrenchment and economy
from noon to-day until Wednesday
morning, so that 1t will be the middle
of next week before a general tteup
would make itself felt.
May Revive Vigilance Staff.
'If It happens" said railroad men,
"and passenger and freight movements
ara impeded. operating heads in all
probability will revive last years vigil
lance committee of general managers,
headed by E. NJ. Rine of the Lacka-
wanna. This committee was being
looked TO last fall to direct the carriers
defense against the four train service
brotherhoCds when that disturbance
evaporated at the last minute. Its full
possibilities were never revealed. ac-
cording to its supporters. They pre-
dicted pooling of resources might de-
velop through this agency. if need
arose. that could help alleviate incon-
venience to the public and initiate
against success for the six shopcraft
unions.
Another statement of the railroads
position was issued by the New York
Central Lines last night, particularly
in regard to piecework. At the Elkhart
locomotive shop for the lines west Of
Buffalo retEn to piecework, after ex-
perience with the hourly basis. has re-
suited in increased wages for the men,
according to the pronouncement.
Shopmen there and at other shops
according to the communication. have
petitioned the road for a piecework
basis, but 1t is known that union off,
cials charge the petitions" have been
inspired by the company itself
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany issued an earnest disclaimer Of
any piecework intention. 1t also denied
any dabbling In contract work" the
practice of subletting Jobs to contractors
who do work more cheaply than is
possible under the shopcraft union
scale.