The New York herald., 1922-07-28

made by the Railroad LABOR boaru
Second The assurance that the unions
will have the complete support OF the
Administration in any move they want
20 make to secure a rehearing OF any
objection they have to the findings OF
the board, incNding the wage scale.
Third: Assurance that the President
will use his utmost influence to get the
recalcitrant executives TO yield on the
seniority question and failing their yield
ing, the calling of general conference
in which those representatives who VIII
be in favor of a seniority. rule will be
represented.
on the extent to which the President
is able TO carry both sides with. him in
the trading back and forth which was
in process throughout the day. The
seniority rule was the main topic under
discussion.
1t is understood that the feelng-of
the President is that even II the execu-
tives hold out and refuse TO yield tne
question OF seniority B. is one which
may well be left to future consideration
in conference representing both sides.
Failing such conference it may be
taken up by the railroad labor board
in a test case.
Persons close to the developments de-
clare that II would be quite In line with
the Presidents idea In the matter that
the railroad board should assume juris-
dction of the seniority controversy, but
that in the meantime the union leaders
should order their men back to work
and put themselves right with public
opinion, which would be on their side.
There was apparently an agreement
between the President and those with
whom he conferred that as little pub
licity as possible should be given to to-
days proceedings. 1t was believed the
reason for this is that neither side has
yet formally accepted the proposition
made by President Harding and
definite announcement regarding sue
cessful issue of the peace is held up
awaiting the final answer of the STRIVE,
leaders
Mr. Cuyler. who stated the position OF
the Eastern executives. was to have an
cttrer conference with the President at
s o'clock tonight. 1t was indicated that
at this conference the President would
acquaint him with The attitude of the
shop crafts leader and particularly the
fact that they are making the restora-
ton of seniority the main issue IN the
controversy as it now stands.
Atterbury in Capital.
Gen. w. W. Atterbury, vice-president
OF the Pennsylvania system, with whom
the President conferred, remains IN
Washington still. L. +. Loree, president
OF the Delaware and Hudson. is still In
Washington and will remain. All three
will remain over. it was stated, until the
results of the settlement effort have be-
come known.
Mr.. Jewell and his associates also
will remain in Washington ustil to-
morrow at least. The indications were
tonight that whatever the executives
decided to do the President would not
relinquish his efforts to get the shopmen
back to work-and even if the execu-
tives hold out there is considerable hope
that the leaders Of the strikers will de-
eide that the best policy is to accept
the Presidents proposal.
The union leaders have difficulty In
holding their men together, particu-
larly in view of the fact that some OF
the roads are making some headway
toward an individual settlement when
their men. and those roads. like the
Pennsylvania system. which are the
most strongly opposed to yielding are
the ones best able TO hold out and on
which the international unions have the
least hold.
At the same time it was indicated
that the suggestion put forward that
acceptance of the Presidents suggestion
the men return to work would put the
unions in much stronger position TO
fight on any points that will remain In
controversy while refusal to yield would
put the taint of outlawry on the die
hard" executives. made favorable i'm
preston.
JewelI's Statement.
On leaving the White House after the
extended afternoon conference Mr.
Jewell made bare statement in which
be refused to say In detail what had
franspired either at the morning or af-
ternoon session. The statement he is
sued was made at the request of the
President. 1t said:
''The conference this afternoon was
continuation OF the morning conference,
in which we discussed our views OF the
present railroad situation and made a
complete statement of our case / do
not feel free to comment on the de.ails
OF what we discussed"
Are you hopeful that the end of the
strike is in sight?" Mr. Jewell was asked.
IT do not want TO answer that ques-
ton now" Mr.. Jewell replied Chairman
Cuyler of the Association of Railroad
Executives was equally averse TO COM
menting on the situation. Mr.. Cuyler
refused to indorse the hopeful outlook,
Just as did Mr.. Jewell. not. it is believed,
because the outlook is not hopeful. but
because the time for an announcement
has not quite, come
Besides Mr. Jewell the following shop
Union leaders attended the conferences
with the President: y. w. Kline of'the
blacksmiths, w. NJ. Johnston OF the ma
chinists. w. J. Ryan OF the carmen. j.
A. Franklin of the boilermakers. James
Burns of the sheet metal workers. and
Tim Healy of the oilers and stationary
cnginemen.
While not directly invited by the
President the coming of the union lead
ers to Washington was the result OF con-
ferences they had withSChalrman Hoop
or of the Railroad Labor Board after
his visit here last week. He probably
acquainted them with the strong views
of the President in regard to the obliga-
dion resting on both sides to accept the
findings OF the board and the feeling
he has that the unions are opposing pub
lie opinion by striking.
The question of seniority Is not yet
before the board. 1t Is suggested here
that IL could be Immediately brought
up should the Pennsylvania System. for
instance. hold out against restoration.
Any man in any of the roads shop who
on returning to work was refused the
position he formerly held could sub
NIT the case to the board. II would be-
come test case OF national impor-
tancc. It Is understood that the admin
istration would be In complete sym
pathy with the submission of such q
tc-t case to the board as II is with tie
demand for rehearing on the wage