Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-07-15
(By International News servlce.)

Tor the settlement Oh Tue SIT lhS VI
railway shopmen We're virtually at
deadlock today as the strike en-
tered its third week and no walk
out appeared in sight. Conditions
On the railroad attributed to the
strike are becoming moro serious
all reports indicated. and predic-
tons were made that the coming
week might witness the crisis Of
the controversy.
Chairman Ben W. Hooper. OF the
United States railway labor board,
was continuing his efforts today to
bring about an adjustment but
would hold out no definite hope Of
success. Peace parleys thus far ar
ranged have developed no basis
upon which the shopmen and car
riers could reach an agreement.
The differences between the road
and the employees were described
by Hooper as "fundamental' The
unions are insisting that the basis
of settlement include abolition OF
the contract system, modification
of protested working rules. revis-
ion OF the wage scale and estab-
lshment of a national adjustment
boarl /.
The unions also demand that all
men who went on strike be restor-
ed TO full seniority rights.
The railroads, it was announced.
are willing to agree to abolition OF
the contract system and to the es-
adjustment of regional adjustment
dc tn a 70
storation Of seniority to strikers
and contend that questions of
wages and working rules must be
taken up through the labor board.
Jewell BIames Wall ST.
B. NJ. Jewell, head of the railway
employees department OF the Amer
lean Federation of Labor and lea
der of the striking shopmen, today
charged that a group Of IL banks
and financial institutions control
. the financial policy of the railroad
and laid responsibility for continu-
alton Of the strike to Wall streets
desire to crush the unions. He nam
ed the twelve institutions as fol
lows: National City Bank, of New
York; J. p Morgan and Company;
Chase National Bank; New York
Trust Company; Mechanics and
Metals National Bank; National
Surety Company; American Surety
Company; Equitable Life Assur-
ance Society of the United States;
Guarantee Trust Company; Equit-
able Trust Company; First National
Bank of New York and the Mutual
Life Insurance Company of New
York
These institutions, Jewell said,
control s. percent of the railroad
mileage Of the country and also the
equipment companies and many OF
the coal mines upon which the
roads depend. The institutions hold
80 directofshipe in 80 Of the first
class roads The financ.ers controlI-
ing these institutions, the shop
crafts leader asserted, are the for
ces in back Of the difficulties OF
promptly settling the strike.
Decision OF Labor Board Unjust
Jewell attacked the wage reduc-
ton decision of the labor board as
unjus. and charged that the board
deliberately violated the transpor-
tation act that created it and which
required that wages be Just and
reasonable in relation to the cost
OF living
"The mistake Of the board jew
ell said. is that it has been per
suaded to reduce labor costs on a
theory that the cost Of living would
then fall to the new wage level, in
stead of performing its duty to
help maintain wages on the level
Of the actual cost Of living"
Troops On Guard
The beginning or the third week
OF the strike saw state troops on
guard in Kansas Illinois, Missouri,
West Virginia, Indiana and Michi-
gan Disorders in these states have
compelled state authorities to step
in to preserve order.
Federal troops have been order
cd held in readiness in Texas for
strike duty and troop commanders
have been directed by Secretary Of
War Weeks to make all prepara-
tons for service in the case Of an
emergency.
W l.le tilt SUI Iht mus 4Ai I4'-H
been confined to the shopmen, sta
tionery fremen and oilers are ex-
pected to join in the strike Mon
day and the probability still exists
that the maintenance OF way men
will join in the walkOut unless an
early settlement is reached.
! The railroads are still claiming
no curtailment Of service as re-
suit of the strike. They declare that
such reduction as has been made
in the schedules is due to coal
shortage. A large number OF the
railroads have sought to protect
their property by obtaining in
functions by Dicketing or other
molestations by the strikers. The
rail executives generally are re-
framing from comment UPON the
strike situation.
Cuardsmen Modified.
Columbus. O.. July 15.-Respond
ing to orders issued by Governor
Davis. nearly 300 Ohio national
guardsmen are modified today al
their home sections at Circlevllle
Columbus, Delaware and GAINESVILLE
ready for possible service in con,
nection with the coal strike or the
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