The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-06

In reply to a letter from Mr.
 Hooper, which was regarded as
 eoneiiiatory in tone, MT. Jewell
 declared that tho strikers were
 willing to consider any negotia-
 tfons with any one in authority
 for settlement of the strike.
 We are willing to confer with anybody authorized by the railroads to bring peace proposals to us," said Mir Jewell. 'I include or exclude mo- body, but if the labor board, for in- stance. came to us with a definite proposition. we would not hesitate to consider it'
 Mir Jewell then made public for the first time the exact figures on the strike vote taken by the 4oo, 900 members of the six shop crafts. The vote was divided into three separate ballots, the first on accepting s5o.- 100000 reduction in wages ordered by the labor board, the restoration or seven working rules altered by the hoard, and third, the abollshment or outside contracting by the roads.
 Question of Wages
 A tabulatton of the ballots showed, Mir. Jewell said, only 94.7 per cent of the men had voted to strike on tho question of wages, the heaviest vote fer a strike being on tho question of outside contract labor which polled g7.1 per cent of the vote cast The ballot on rules came, second with s6.2 tor strike. Union leaders said that the vote showed the relative lm- portance attached to the three points at iSSue bV thnir be rehlD
 In railroad circles 1t was de-
 clared thnt the way and already
 been cleared for full settlement
 on the Rrnxest ,irsue---thnt of
 contract work--by the agreement
 of IF roads to abolish outside
 contracting with the labor board
 meeting last Friday when Mir.
 Jewell Ignored an order to ap-
 penr and explain his strike order.
 The first explanation of this incl dent was made by MT. Jewell to- night when he said that to have ap- peared before the labor board Friday would have resulted In a mob-ffka suspension of wdrk by the shopmen and possible bloodshed. He said that the strike order already having gone out and a suspension of work Satur day morning at 10 a. m. having been sanctioned by locals in all parts Of the country. to have made an eleventh hour attempt to avert the walkout would have only resulted in chaos.
 Intervention Too Late
 Mir. Jewell said that the interven- ton of the board had come too late and that the only way to prevent disorders was for him virtually to defy the board and thus let the rank and file of the six shop crafts in- volved know that their leaders had their hands on the brakes and were in full control of the situation. He said that so far he had received no overtures looking toward a set clement and had made none. He add ed that the strike vote was the most representative ever taken. but did not give out any total figures.
 Mir Hooper in hts letter to Mir. Jewell earlier In the day denied the latter's charge that the labor board was unfriendly to the employees or that 1t had "outlawad" the strikers. 'ft has only accepted your own state ment that the striking men are not now employees of tho carriers" the letters said. Tt has not, however. used the rash word outlaw" at any time.
 Has often Favored Unions
 After citing numerous instances after the board has upheld coliec- tive bargaining and ruled in favor of the unions. the letter added:
 "I am yet hopeful that your or- ganizatons will recover their equili- brium and discern that it was better for them to go along with the rait- road labor board. patiently when It makes mistakes, but confidently at. all times that 1t profoundly desires to do justice to the men, the car- riers. and the public without fear. favor or affection"
 Mir. Jewell declared his statement was in the nature of an explanation of labor's side of the situation and that he was not receding from any of the original demands made upon the railways. The statement was in- terpreted in railway circles, how ever. as clearing away to a settle ment by negotiations. the previous understanding being that MT. Jewell would refuse to deal with the labor board and would insist on negotia- tions direct with the carriers. A settlement along thsse lines, how ever, was made difficult. because sf the roads insistance that they had no part in the dispute. declaring IL was entirely a matter between ths government and the strikers. as the walkout was directed against a deci- sion of the board.
 All Hope for Settlement
 Labor leaders. members of the labor board and railway executives united tonight in the expression of hope that speedy settlement was