The New York herald., 1922-07-01
ABSOLVES BOARD
His Blood Be on His
Own Head, Says Chair
man Hooper Re
garding Jewell.
DECLINES TO CONFER
Shopmen's President Defies
Order and 100000 Will
Walk Out.
LAST EFFORTS USELESS
Roads Agree to Abolish Re-
pair Contract System, Long
in Dispute.
LAST EFFORTS USELESS

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
CHICAGO June 3O.-Four hundred
thousand railway shop men will lay
down their tools throughout the coun-
try at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning
Flouting the efforts OF the United
States, through the Railroad Labor
Board, 20 prevent the strike-to use
the words of Ben w. Hooper, presi-
dent of the board-B. NJ. Jewell, head
of the shop unions, as well as six
other union chiefs. refused absolutely
to meet the Labor Board for an Of
fetal discussion of the strike. Where
upon Chairman Hooper adjourned the
boards meeting and isued state
ment explaining why it was useless
to proceed further in view of the at
titude OF the labor leaders.
One thing was accomplished by tho
efforts of the board. The strike of the
1000 maintenance OF way men was
postponed for the present at least.
announcement TO this effect having
been made by e F. Cradle. head OF
tho organization.
Hooper's Statement.
Mr.. Hooper's statement, in which he
charged Jewell with flouting govern
ment tribunal. and added "his blood
be on his own head" was as follows:
Gentlemen of the board and those
concerned here before the board: sub
q
questing him to appear here as a witness
or summoning him 60 appear in connec-
| ton with this hearing.
"As announced at the outset. Mr..
Jewel without positively declining to
come before this subpoena was issued.
merely indicated that he was not coming
in very long argument of legal
nature. assuming that the board was
trying TO interfere with his alleged right
to strike and so forth. thing which the
board is not doing.
This summons. the sergeant at arms
reports, has not been served on Mr.
Jewell, the sergeant at arms not being
able to ascertain his whereabouts. having
gone to his office and read the summons
TO his secretary and. / understand, to
one of his officiaI associates there. Mr.
MacGowan. also having made inquiry
at his home. Taking these facts In con-
nection with Mr.. Jewelis letter, we are
perhaps warranted in reaching the con-
clusion that Mr.. Jewell does not need
to come before the board
Now. the Board has ample power
to compel Mr.. Jewels presence here az
witness not as a party to the contro-
versy but as witness to material facts
involved IN this hearing.
"Not Worth whue.r
Tomorrow, according to the letter
Of Mr.. Jewell. and n previous notfica-
tion received from him, is the day set
for the strike OF the organizations, the
shop crafts which he represents. Tha.
being the case. II is not worth while for
this Board to adjourn this case over till
tomorrow TO undertake 10 compel Mr.
Jewells presence here. No practical
purpose could be subserved by IT, The
chair did want Mr.. Jewell to under
stand that II has the power to compel
his attendance, and had he been found.
proper steps would have been taken to
compel It.
But. connected with the factn Just
mentioned, that tomorrow Is the day set
when he is going to order a strike of
the employees comprising his organiza-
tions, this Board feels that Il has fully
carried out the responsibility resting
upon it under the transportation act, 70
use every available means TO prevent
labor disturbance which might result In
interruptions Of traffic. The Board
having gone that far. and tomorrow be-
ing the day for the strike, as say, no
practical purpose can be subserved BY
an adjournment OF this hearing In order
70 get his testimony.
THE Board right here might eNpress
It's appreciation of the different forms
OF conduct adopted by tho gontlemer
representing the other organizations OF
employees and also its appreciation az
the very fine spirit shown by nearly
all Of the railroads In my own mind
] can think OF but two exceptions.
which will not name.
"BIood ne on His Head"
80 far as Mr. Jewell Is concerned.
his blood be on his own head. Nj.
Jewell has flouted n Government tri
bunai charged with the duty and re-
sponsiblity TO investigate this matter
not only in the interests OF the public
but In the interests OF his own organiza.
tions, and the interests of the carriers
the railway transportation system ~
this country. He has shouldered the
responsibility OF his own volltion. and
the board desires 10 pursue the matter
no further.
"The hearing OF certain cases was
interrupted this morning by the inter
ventlon OF this hearing. and the board
will therefore adjourn for the resump-
ton OF those cases that were In pros
ress until $3.50 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing.