New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-24

he Association Of Railway Execu-
sives has closed the door. The unions
have offered every concession within
reason TO end the strike and TO save
the public from hreak.down oil trans
norintion, but THE executives have
made none. On the contrary. they
have since the strike began raised an
entirely new and irrelevant issue Of
heir cwn ssniority---and by their re-
fusai to recede from their position
have made a settlement impossible al
this time. The responsibility for what
wIil happen now rests wholly upon
The sfopcrafts employees voted in
June for strike to establish a living
wage and decent working conditions
The Association of Railroad Executives
has now voted for a lock -out to smash
enionism on the railroads and to
eliminate collective bargaining from
the industry.
1.-THE men have. been ready at all
times to meet the executives to bring
shout an honorable settlement. We
expressed our Willingness to do so to
the Labor Board in Chicago. We ac-
cepted President Harding's terms of
settlement of July 81. The executives,
however, have consistently and AFRO
gantly blocked every move to end the
strike. They have done so with the
plain intent of eliminating unionism
from the railroad shops as the first
step in the elimination OF unionism
from the industry as a whole. They
refuse, even at the Presidents direct
request, TO take back striking en-
ployees with seniority rights unim-
paired, in order that they might sepa-
rate free and courageous men from
their jobs and thus disintegrate the
employees organizations. They even
Try to Justify their refusal on the
ground Of promises Of permanent en-
ployment 20 strike breakers which they
nave not made
slhe shopcraft employees are now
tltshting for their very existence and
he existence of the other railroad en-
ployees, as well as for Justice and
right This last misguided action of
the executives makes our victory Sc
cure. The executives to-day have not
. leg to stand on before the people.
"The 100000 striking EMPLOYEES ac-
cept the challenge of the railroads
Re will redouble our efforts, confident
+ Success"
Proposals of Men
brotherhood chiefs presented their
PROPOSALS in memorandum that read
"First--All men to be reinstated in
The position OF the class they origi-
..ally held on June 80, 1922. As many
y such men as possible to be put to
work September L at present rates of
Eft'- and all employees, who have been
on strike, to be put to work or under
pav, not later than October l next ex-
eept such men as have been proved
guilty OF destruction Of railroad prop
erty or convicted of crime Ordinary
cases of assault and battery, the re-
suit of personal encounters, are to be
disregarded.
Second-If dispute arises as to the
relative standing of an employee or
employees and it cannot be otherwise
adjusted by the carrier and said en-
ployee, or employees, the matter shall
be referred to the United States Rail-
road Labor Board, in accordance with
the Transportation Act of 1920, by the
organization of the employee in the in
serests Of an employee who may be
aggrieved.
Third-No intimidation nor oppres-
SION shall be practiced or permitted as
against any of the employees who have
remained or have taken service or as
against those who resume service under
this understanding.
"Fourth-All suits at law now pend
ang as the result of the strike to be
withdrawn and Cancelled by both par
ties"
New Plan Is Rejected
In letter sent the five brotherhood
chiefs, replying TO yesterdays pro-
posals, Mr.. Cuyler said: e
THE carriers have carefully consid-
cred the tentative suggestions you have
to-day made. The use by you in this
suggestion of the terms treinstated
goes to the root of the differences be-
tween US.
''1on have repeatedly explained to
our committee that this means an
acknowledgement on the part of the car
rlers that the men returned to work
under your proposition above quoted
will be senior to the new men employed
since July /, 1922, and to the old men
who remained in the service to the ex-
tent that the returning strikers were
senior on June 80, 1922.
As this acknowledgment would
doubtless control the decision of the
Labor Board on dispute submitted
Under your second paragraph as to
seniority and oblige it to render de-
cision against the old men who re-
NAMED and the new men who entered
the service, we cannot accept it,"
Executives Statement
nc stand of the railroad executives
was couched in the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved. That the committee is
authorized to meet the representatives
OF the train and engine service brother
moods again, and state to them that the
railroads adhere to the position here
toiere taken, namely, that the striking
former employees cannot be given
preference to employees at present in
che service, without doing violence to
every principle of right and justice in
VOWED iii this matter, and without the
greatest breach of faith on the part of
the railroads to the men at present in
their service. Under these cir. UNI
\ stances it becomes apparent that the
"a railroads cannot consider any settle
ment of the present strike which does
not provide protection in their present
employment both TO the loyal EN-.
ployees, who remained in the service
and to the new employees entering it
Resolved, further, That unless the
representatives of the striking former
shop employees are prepared to accept
that position the railroads are unable
to see wherein the efforts at mediation
Ply the chief officers of the brother.
hoods can harmonize these fundamen-
tsl differences.
Resolved, That the railroads ex.
press their appreciation of the friendl,
intent and the earnest efforts that have
been made by the chief officers of +be