The Washington times., 1922-07-28

Oontlnued from tlrSt faBeD
Of the country is threatened with
collapse because OF impaired equip
ment and lack OF fuel.
To'Work First Essential.
President Harding did suggest, It
was learned today, that the strikers
return to work immediately-on all
roads II possible, and II not, then on
those roads willing to restore the
seniority rights vacated by the strik-
ers when they left the shops four
weeks ago.
This proposition was taken under
advisement by the striking shop
crafts leaders, and II Is considered
probable that within forty.eight
hours. the leaders will inform the
White House of their willingness TO
return.
Meanwhile. the shopcrafts leaders
are comforting among themselves,
and T. Dewitt Cuyler, president of
the Association of Railway Execu.
tives, has called a meeting Of the
heads of 14S railroad systems for
New York next Tuesday. This will
be one Of the greatest single gather.
ings Of railway executives in years,
and the policies there adopted may
have an important bearing on future
railroad history.
Settlement of the whole contro.
versy apparently hinged today
around the question of seniority
rights of the strikeN. That was
the rock which broke the Railway
Labor Boards efforts to settle the
walkout ten days ago, and II still
remains the big obstacle in the path.
way of the Presidents efforts.
b. NJ. Jewell, national director Of
the strike, and Ms six shopcrafts,
informed the President last night.
it is understood, that the strike
could be called of within twenty.
four hours upon the assurance that
all OF the railroads of the country
would restore the seniority rights
to those men who went out. and
upon assurances that the latest wage
cut decreed by the Railway Labor
Board would be made the subject
OF a rehearing.
President Harding replied, II In
understood that he did not believe
there would be any difficulty in the
matter Of a rehearing on the wage
problem, but that he was unable to
speak for the executives on seniority
rights. The strike leaders left the
White House and the President sent
for Cuyler.
cuyler was unwilling and unable.
It is said, to speak the assurance the
strikers had asked, and after a
lengthy conference at which all the
disputed points were gone over
again, he informed the President he
would call a general meeting Of the
executives Of all roads in New York
next Tuesday to formulate q policy.
Strike leaders were adamant today
In asserting that a settlement must
hinge on the willingness Of all roads
to restore seniority rights, including
the Pennsylvania, New York Cen
trail, Erie, Delaware and Hudson, and
a few other die hards" which have
signified their intention Of awarding
the seniority rights to old and new
workers to remain on the job.
The one concession the shopcraft
leaders appeared willing to make
was that the union men who stayed
with the job should be permitted to
succeed to the seniority, but that
returned strikers should take prece-
dence ovef any new men taken on
since the strike began.
II the Government can bring prese-
ure enough to bear on the die
hards" to get them to abandon their
unyielding stand, It was regarded
n certain today that the strike will
be over in quick order.
Meanwhile, reports to Government
departments emphasized the growing
seriousness Of the transportation
situation. More trains are being
suspended, more rolling stock retired
because of lack Of repairs, and a
decentralization on most roads is
steadily widening