New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-22
WhiteEIouseAid
May Break Rail
Strike Irnpasse
Harding Expected to Throw
His Weight Behind Hoop.
er's Plan for Settlement
at Conference in Capital
Nay Warn Executives
Said to Feel They Might Re-
store Seniority RIGHTS of
Men to Avert Disaster
By Gilman Parker

CHICAGO, July 21.-Responding to
the summons of President Harding for
a conference on the strike of railroad
shopmen and the efforts being made
for it's speedy settlement, Ben w.
Hooper, chairman of the Railroad
Labor Board, left Chicago for Wash
ington to-day.
He expects to discuss the situation
with the President tomorrow morning,
it was learned, and will 90 into the
fullest details on the attitude of both
the strike leaders and the railroad ex
ecutives, especially the stand of the
latter in refusing to return seniority
rights to the strikers if they will re-
turn to work--a matter which now ap-
pears outwardly as the only obstacle
in the way of a rapid peace.
Local authorities on the strike were
confident tonight that the White
House conference will be productive
of excellent results, and that the
President, after obtaining Mr.. Hooper's
fund of information, will take some
step in supporting the latter's settle
ment plans, which will be just the
backing needed to push them through
TO SuCCeSS1uI conclusion.
Forecast Warning to Executive
Some observers are going so far as
to forecast that the President, after
hearing the various points put forth as
to the seniority question, may issue a
statement declaring that while it may
be commendable for the rail manage
ments to uphold what they believe to
be, a principle, they will do we'll to
bear in mind that the good of the
greatest number and the public inter-
ests generally should come first in
their attitude toward the situation.
The President, it is believed, also may
express his views as to the adjust
ment board and other leading issues of
the controversy.
The news that the President had sent
for the Labor Board chairman cleared
the atmosphere considerably about the
board Offices, an air of optimism re-
placing the pessimistic attitude which
had been maintained there since
Wednesday, when Mr.. Hooper an
nounced the hating of negotiations be-
cause of what was declared to be the
seniority impasse.
"The rail strike is a matter which
interest of public welfare, and that is
all there is to it, said one rail
authority.
Settlement or Chaos
GAS the matter now stands, there are
only two eventualities which can be in.
volved, quick settlement or industrial
chaos throughout the country. 1 dc
not pretend to know whether, as Mr.
Jewell says, Wall Street controls the
railroads, but if it does, Wall Street
will do we'll to inquire into the ques
ton, if it is out to eliminate the rail
road unions, as to whether it might not
have to pay the price Of government
ownership for the attainment of such c
goal.
Zone thing is certain, that the public
would never again tolerate experiencing
such a state of industrial demoraliza
ton, and virtual civil war in some sec
lions Of the country, as prolongatio or
of the strike would be sure to mean"
While Chairman Hooper was speed
ing to Washington, other members OF
the Labor Board continued the in
formal negotiations for peace. w. L.
McMenimen is going to Mooseheart to-
morrow to confer with James ]. Davis,
Secretary Of Labor.
A new criticism came from sources
close to the Labor Board which pic
CuTGn CGTIdlH VI lne IlOSC IeCeIlG HlOVCS
by the railroads as indicating an in
board end its powers. These moves
were the bids for separate agreements
put forth by some Of the roads-the
Chesapeake & Ohio was the latest to
adopt this course-and the emphasis
given by many of the executives to
the point that "This is a strike against
the Labor Board, and not against the
railroads"
Board Resents Tactics
The board, it was learned, deeply re-
sents these tactics. 1t is pointed out
that the effect of general separate or
regional settlements would so localize
the dealings of the roads with their
men that the board eventually could
have no national standing. The "strike
against the board" cry, it was held, is
a slogan calculated in time to bring the
board into public disfavor. In the mat
ter Of separate adjustments the board
has the unequivocal support of the
railroad unions, which view them as q
menace to their national organizations.
Mr.. Jewell made the stand of the
unions clear on this point tonight, in
response to a telegram from R. A.
Henning, head of the Northwest shop
men, which reported the Minneapolis
and St. Paul papers quoting the strike
chieftain as saying that the unions
were "ready to- deal separately with
the various roads," Mr.. Jewell replied
as follows:
Absolutely no truth in reports YOU
mention. We are standing for one ma
tional settlement"
Coincident with the important peace
t1n ~ Nv,
Hooper the general chairmen of the
clerks, freight handlers and station
employees will meet here on Monday
Though one rumor was that this con-
ference was to plan extension OF
strikes of the organizations members
other reports were that the general
chairmen are to meet to indicate dis
approval Of the action Of E. II. Fitz-
gerald, president of the union, in sane
A. EETgsFH7yZ3T IN