The New York herald., 1922-07-27
axe up with the representatiyes or the

take up with the representatives OF the
strikers and the spokesmen for the
board the main points at issue; namely,
first, the return OF the men to work on
the basis Of the boards award with the
assurance of rehearing; and second,
the restoration OF seniority
In the meantime the President is
acquaintIng himself with the views OF
the Eastern executives regarding the
seniority question, which he discussed
at length with Gen. Atterbury to-day.
The movement among some of the East
ern roads to set up their own unions is
generally regarded here as bringing a
complicating element into the situation.
Labor leaders interpret it as in line
with the alleged efforts of the Eastern
executives to destroy the unions and to
restore the open shop To persist in
this, it is believed here. might further
embitter labor and open the road to
walkouts on a larger scale.
The vice-president of the Pennsylvania
Railroad after his conference with the
President, said:
'"The President, realizing the impor-
tance of the seniority question as the
crux of the present railway situation
desired to discuss the various angles in
a definite settlement of the railroad
problem.
so far as the Pennsylvania system was
concerned such a question should prop
erly be determined by our employees
and that the Pennsylvania Railroad
would be entirely guided by any de-
termination that our employees thought
wise. fair and equitable
Whether this meant that 1t would all
depend on what the employees who re-
manned faithful to the road demanded
was not made clear in Mr.. Atterbury's
statement. The Administration Is known
to be using it's influence with the execu-
tives in an effort TO get them to yield
on this question. Informal proposals
have been made by persons close to the
President that the railroads give COM
pensation other than seniority to the
faithful ones. 1t was intimated that
the grant OF a bonus was a common
practice for loyalty, and that If the ex-
ecutives so willed they could easily sat
isfy their sense of fairness In the matter.
Should the shop crafts leaders decide
to return to work on the basis of the
boards award with the assurance of a
rehearing. together with the restoration
of the seniority rights, it is indicated
that the Administration would go so far
as to bring the strongest kind of pres
sure to bear on the recalcitrant execu-
tives.
In his telegram to Mr.. Dean the Presi-
dent made 1t clear that all must accept
the board as the final authority. Fall
ing acceptance by the executives of any
program worked out for the return of
the men to work, such, for example, as
refusing to yield on the seniority ques-
ton, would lead to move, it is expected.
Ia bring this question before the board.
Cabinet Officials have stated their be-
lief that the board was competent 70
assume Jurisdiction of and give an award
on seniority. Some of the roads, notably
the Pennsylvania, have been reluctant to
accept the boards awards and there
has been a consistent effort on the part
of several executives. 1t is felt. to limit
the jurisdiction of the body. This Is
viewed with disfavor by President Hard
ing and continued activity along this
line would put the executives In pre-
cisely the same position as the strikers,
wlb, in the opinion of the President. are
undermining the sovereignty of the Gov
ernment itself in not accepting provision
ally, at least the findings of the board
created by Congressional mandate.