The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-08
URGED TO GO BACK
r. /. Credits Labor Board
Chairman With Statement.
Hooper Says "GO Back" Is Best
Advice Given.

A statement credited to B. w.
Hooper, chairman of the United States
railroad labor board, has been trans
mitted to Topeka by T. H. Beacon,
vice president and general manager of
the Rock Island. today.
Beacom's telegram of transmissi on
stated that the utterance from Chair
man Hooper had been released to the
press "as an individual utterance. ex-
pressing the sentiment of the majority
of the members of the board"
The statement. as given out by the
Rock Island official is as follows:
THE transportation act under which the
railroad labor board functions makes the
enforcement of the boards decisions large
ly dependent public sentiment and i'm
posse upon the board the duty of publish
privileges, rights and duties Of carriers and
employees, in order that the general public,
the railway managements and the shop
craft employees may understand the attitude
of the board toward the strike and may
have a correct conception of the boards
powers and duties in the premises, the fol-
lowing statement is made public:
The law confers up the board no
powers of arbitration: mediation and CON
vene between the carriers and the striking
employees and by give and take process
that may exist.
"As matter of fact. the board hears.
considers and decides disputes much in the
same manner that a court does, and en-
deavors to reach and render judgments
based upon the law and the evidence. A
compromise their differences but, having
failed to agree, the labor board can only
adjudicate, but not compromise.
Board Can't Back Up.
Having once decided a controversy, the
boards Jurisdiction is at end unless,
upon a proper petition, the case is reopened
and reheard.
There seems to be a Misrepresentation in
some quarters to the effect that the board
may settle the strike by initiating some
voluntary modification Of its decisions
complained of
that it would be grossly improper for the
board to pursue such course and that il
has no intention of so doing.
The paramount purpose Of the labor ar
tiele Of the transportation act to
prevent Interruptions of traffic arising
from labor disturbances.
The underlying principle is that it is
better for the immediate parties and for
the people at large that controversies be-
tive en- the carriers and employees should be
settled in the court Of reason rather than
the court Of force.
1T is believed that an impartial tri-
bunal composed of representatives of the
three corners Of this industrial triangle
VIII attain Justice far more than will
threats, intimidation. mobs. riots. bombs.
toehes. murder and all the forces Of
The shop crafts have been fairly heard
before the labor board. They have ap-
pealed from the sober conservation jurg-
its inevitable unamerican supervision Of
law and order.
For the labor board to Yield to meas
ures OF this kind would be an outrage upon
public deceney and would hasten the en-
thronement Of anarchy in this country
Let IL be understood, however that
the railroad labor board is always open to
any class Of railway employees who ap-
proach 1t in conformity Of the law for the
presentation Of any grievance. The board
(ContiuUed on Page Four