New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-23
President Has Eighi-Hour
Conference With Hooper
and Senator'S; Hears
All Facts i'm Situation
No Suggestion Of
New Legislation
Dispute Hinges on Senior
ity Issue; President Not
Sure Men Are Outlawed

From, The TYibune's Iposhinoto. Buyeoa
WASHINGTON, July 22.-It be-
came obvious to-day that President
Harding has determined to take over
personal direction Of the govern
inent's efforts to end the war be-
tween the nations railroads and their
employees. In connection with this
plan he intends to give a 'fresh
start" to the faltering movement in
this direction begun by the Railroad
Labor Board.
Although the Chief Executives
program in the rail fight has not yet
taken definite form, the sign posts
visible tonight indicate clearly the
line of thought which has developed
out Of o ;ng day Of conferences on
the subject, headed by that with Ben
W. Hoorer, chairman of the Rail-
road Labor Board. President Hard
ing, with every one else concerned.
1t is declared, recognizes that the
primary difficulty in the way of get.
ting the striking workmen back OF.
their jobs is the question of seniority
rights, and it is some outlet for tn,
apparent deadlock between the roat
executives and unions on this prob
lem that he is seeking.
Questions "Outlaw" Theory
Significant of this was the broad
lntimation from an official source that
the Administration does not regard the
strikers as completely "outlawed," the
Interpretation placed on the recent
declaration Of the Railroad Board by
the railway presidents who consulted
here Thursday night with Senator's
Cummins, Watson and Kellogg. The
three Senators, who at that conference
sought to have the executives WELD on
the seniority rule stand they have
taken, also were present during part
Of the meeting to-day between Presi-
dent Harding and Chairman Hooper.
Mr.. Harding tonight had apparently
| gained little ground in the direction
of an acceptable proposal designed to
close the primary breach between roads
| and the unions. 1t was intimated at
the Capitol, however, that many more
conferences of a similar character, both
! at the White House and the Senate. are
in immediate prospect.
In addition to seeing Chairman
Hooper and Senator'S Cummins, Wat
son and Kellogg, President Harding
conferred to-day on the rail problem
with Senators Atlee Pomerene. of Ohio.
and Oscar w. Underwood, of Alabama.
| Democratic members of the Interstate
Commerce Committee.
President Harding talked with Mr..
Hooper for more than five hours. The
chairman of the board reached the
executive Offices few minutes after 10
o'clock this morning. Later Senators
Cummins, Watson and Kellogg were
closeted with them, but when they de-
parted Mr.. Hooper remained.
Hooper Reticent on Conference
President Harding took Mr.. Hooper
to the White House as his guest at
luncheon and the two returned to the
Executive Offices this afternoon. MIR.
Hooper did not leave the President
until 2:30. His only comment, upon
leaving was:
"All can say now is that I have
gone over the whole situation very
thoroughly with the President, under
taking to give him the history of the
controversy in all its phases Gown to
the present time. Naturally / do not
feel at liberty to discuss details of the
| things we talked over"
While the President worked long on
this phase of the general problem, 1t
developed that the government is
threatened with the prospect Of further
retarding of transportation.
Senators Cummins, Watson and Kel-
logg, after the conference at the White
House declined to make any statement
and said whatever was disclosed would
come from the President. One Senator
said no new policy was evolved.
Senator Cummins said later in the
day that he was "hopeful, but not san
guine." He indicated that he did not
see that the situation had changed
materially since yesterday.
While the transportation act and the
question of changes in it were talked
| over in the White House conference,
Senators made it plain no Immediate
new legislation was contemplated as =
method Of ending the strike.
Cummins Sees Union Leaders
After the visit to the White House
of Senators Cummins and Underwood,
Senator Cummins conferred for two
hours at the Capitol with H. E.. Wills
and P. A. Burgess, representing the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers;
Arthur j. Bowel of the Brotherhood
! of Locomotive Firomen and Engine
| men, and w. N. Doak of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen.
| This delegation, which also called
yesterday on Senator Cummins, repre-
sented to him to-day that brotherhood
workers on trains are becoming more
and more concerned about the condi-
tion of their locomotives and equip
ment, in view of the lack of men to
make repairs and the scarcity of in
! spcctors. The impression left with
Senator Cummins, which he considered
| highly significant, was that transporta-
| ton will become slower as the broth
| erhocd workers grow more cautious in
| operating trains, until point may be