New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-09
Rail Executives
Face Split Over
Hardinng's Plan
Friday Meeting Here Is
Expected TO Develop a
Breach. With Western
Roads for Acceptance
No Change ON Union Side
Opponents of Presidents
Peace Move See Politics
i'm Government Activity

Belief that there will be rejec-
ton by both sides of President Hard
ing's latest proposal for settlement of
the strike of railroad shopmen--that
the carriers assign the striking shop
ment to work, both then to take the
seniority rights dispute to the Rail-
road Labor Board for decision
gained ground here yesterday.
It was learned, however. that any
thwarting of the Pres dent's plan by
the railroads will not be undertaken
without hot fight among the road ex-
ecutlves themselves, who were found
yesterday to be seriously divided over
the proposition.
So far as the strikers are concerned
no developments occurred indicating
any recession from the position taken
Monday night by B. NJ. Jewell, their
chief leader, when he termed the Pres
ident's plan "a most uncalled for at
tempt TO help the railroads break the
strike and said that nobody ought
to get the idea the shopmen will ac-
cept." In addition it was pointed out
by local officials of the shop crafts
unions that no steps have been taken
for the calling of general charmen's
meeting, to consider the peace pro-
posal, which would be necessary for
its success.
Executives in Two Camps
A garnering of views of the railroad
executives as to the Presidents plan
indicated they will be split into two
Campo when they meet in the Grand
Central Terminal Friday to consider IT,.
This division was first brought to light
when it was learned that L. F. Lore,
chairman of the Eastern presidents
conference, and regarded as the leader
OF the group most firmly opposed TO
entering into any compromise with the
strikers, had decided not to call y
meeting of his associates prior TO Fri
days conference, procedure which
was followed in connection with TIE
last meeting of the exclusives.
It is believed that one of the groups
in Fridays meeting, possibly including
certain OF the roads with Chicago ter
minals, such as the New York Central.
and many of the Southern roads, will
proposal, witho out reservation or condi-
tions, but that the other group, in
Guiding the Pennsylvania and the coal
carrying roads, will go into the meet
ing determined on fight either for 2
fiat rejection of the plan or for its
acceptance with reservations known to
be wholly unacceptable to the strik-
ing shopmen, which would be tanta-
mount to a rejection.
Leading executives on both sides
freely expressed their opinions yester-
day, on condition, however, that their
names be withheld.
Executives TO Yield, One Says
"Undoubtedly," said one spokesman
OF the so-called progressive" group,
there will be difference of opinion
when Fridays meeting convenes. But
in the end I believe that, with the in
clusion of qualifications safeguarding
the stand the railroads have taken and
at work, the executives will agree to
the request OF the President that the
seniority dispute be brought before the
Labor Board"
Leaders of the other group were of
contrary belief, and even more en-
phatically so.
They declared that the Labor Board
has muddled the situation from begin
ming to end, and is not to be trusted
, that official Washington has become
"unduly alarmed" over effects Of the
strike on industry, with the govern
ment's predicted figures on future un-
employment a Pigment of the magma
ton" and that "were this an off year
in politics the President would not
have such hand in the strike as he
has taken"
when, Just after the strike started
the Labor Board adopted resolutions
! in support of the rights of new en-
ployees, the railroads, acting in good
faith, went ahead with the building up
of their shop forces" said one of the
executives. "Now comes the board with
new resolutions saying that the others
didn't have the force and effect Of real
resolutions at all What are Labor
Board resolutions anyway? Are they
/. resolutions when written in red ink
but something else when inscribed in
| green And if the previous resolution
weren't resolutions, what is the status
| of the new ones? Bosh, poppycock and
bah!
Hooper's Conduct Assaulted
"Another reason why the Labor
Board isn't to be trusted has been the
conduct of Ben W. Hooper, its chair.
man. When Mr.. Jewell, before the
strike started, refused to appear before
the board, Mr.. Hooper severely de-
nounced his conduct and said let his
blood be on his own head Then he
turned around and began secret nego-
| iiations for settlement with him. II
the Labor Board Is real tribunal, why
! did Mr.. Hooper go outside Of court tc
| transact business In such fashion.
"The answer is that Mr.. Hooper and
the board are playing politics. Now
we find him telling the railroads that
If they'll only submit the seniority
question to the board all will be rosy
so far as their interests are concerned
Doubtless he is making Mr. Jewell the
sams sort of promises, for my expert.
ence has been that a dog that will
fetch will also carry"
Some of the roads, it was said, will
not deal again with the shopmen's
unions under any consideration, but
will go ahead with their Company
unions" Others, however, probably
will eventually form agreements with
the six shop crafts.