The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-17
HARD|NG'S s REPORT ON TWO STRIKES
 MAY BE DELAYED
President May Await Result of Peace Farley Called by Brotherhood Heads to
 Meet Today
By Associated Press

Washington, August 16.-Agree- ment between railroad executives and railroad labor organization leaders to hold another conference tomor- row in New York to seek settle ment of the shopmen's strike. it was said today, had resulted in President Harding questioning the desirability of making his expected report to Congress and the country in the strike situation within the next few hours.
 Plans made for the reception of his communication tomorrow at g joint session of Congress ,sEA Nun derstood to be on the vergspofs1 re- vision as the Prealdent was repre- sef,ted as being desirous of with holding his statement if the union chiefs and the railroad presidents could hold out any prospect of sat- isfactory settlement.
 Heads of the seven labor organ- izations of strikers met today with the officials of unions not involved and decided to take almost the en- tire group to New York for the dis cussions with the executives Though officers of the five organizations of train service employees. the engineers. conductors, flremen, brakemen and switchmen will be the only ones &C., tually to meet with the executives, their chairman. Warren $. stone de- clared they desire close at hand all strike leaders and the spokesmen for other railroad unions. Some ob- lection to this plan developed among the strike leaders but they finally arranged to send most of their group, including MT. Jewell, their chairman, and to call in all concerned in case any settlement proposals resulted.
 Has No Proposition
 MT. Stone and the other officials declared they were not taking any prepared propositions to the meeting.
 wouldn't be fool enough to pu; It in the newspapers If I had one, anyway" Mir. Stone remarked.
 l.. E. Sheppard, president of the Or der of Conductors, said that the de- mand of the strikers for full seniori- ty status in case of their return to work could not be modified, and the views of the strike leaders appeared to coincide with this position.
 President Harding. who was under stood to be preparing his message to Congress. held discussions concerning It with Senator Lodge, the republican leader in the Senate It was consid . cred certain, advisers said. that he would not request Legislation to deal With the rail strike, although it was regarded as probable he would assure congress such request would be made if the situation necessitated.
 Explain Whole situation
 It was said to be his intention 10 explain the whole industrial situation In the light of steps taken by the ad- ministration with reference to the strikes and 1t was considered prob able he would express a determine ton to give federal aid and protec- tion to efforts to keep railroads run ming.
 Railroad traffic is continuing to maintain a fair volume. according to reports to the Association of Railway Executives. During the week ending August 5. S51.351 cars were loaded With freight. This was said to be O reduction of 8.3S2 cars from the pre- yious week. but an increase of 65.173 cars over the corresponding week of 1921. On July 31, the association also said there were 174.927 surplus freight cars in good repair on lines immediately available. This was a de- crease of 2s.395 cars from the surplus on July 23.