The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-08-12
Il a I'd ing Suggests
That Strikers Re
turn to w or That
r a Il 70 ad S Take
Them On, Leaving
Dispute t o Labor
Board

=
men sent be back 10 work, that: the
arrangements take them back and
that adjustment Of the crucial Sc
niority issue be left to decision Of
the railroad LABOR board
Though the president was said
to consider this the only practical
course the government could take,
union spokesmell, indicating its re-
lection. summoned their associates
to meet here Wednesday to pass
upon the proposal and further call
ed to washington for general con-
ference Friday the heads Of all
railroad labor organizations to con
sider methods of cooperation that
night make the strike more efec-
tiFe.
The rail executives had made no
response to the White House to-
night though press dispatches indi-
Gated that they also would meet
to frame q collective: answer.
b. M. Jewell, president Of the
railway department Of the Amer
gcan Federation Of Labor, with W.
Johnston, head of the ma
chinists ASSOCIATION, and j. H.
Noonan, comprising committee
representing the striking unions,
took the presidents communities
ton into conference iata today,
calling in II. j. Wills of the en-
gineers, Paul Stephens of the train
men, and Arthur J. Lowell of the
Hremen and eginemen.. all three
being Washington representatives
Of brotherhood Organizations in
the train seryice which have actual
- acted apart from the labor
unions In other branches Of service.
The union chiefs, following the
meeting, gave out statement
which was taken as forsshadowing
their course and copies of a tele-
gram to W. 6. Stone, chief of the
engineers. and to E.. j.. Manion.
president of the telegraphers, ask
ing their cooperation IN the for
mutation Of program which
would provide for its purpose pro
lection Of the public. preservation
OF the railroad industry and an
honorable basis of settlement"
sMessrs. Noenan, Johnston and
Jewell have been IN conference sey-
eraI hours considering the pro-
posal made by the president to-
day, the statement said. I'VE
have requested the chief executives
of all the striking shop crafts
unions and the stationary fremen
and oilers to meet us here Wednes-
day of this week
We have also urgently request
ed by telegraph and telephone
that a conference Of ali executives
of railroad labor organizations lie
held in Washington Friday, August
II.
We have requested this confer
ence because We recognize that
railroad employees not now on
strike will in defense OF the travel
ing public and themselves, neces-
sarily have to decline to operate
the defective locomotives and cars
now in service.
cit is clear to any unbiased per-
son that railroad equipment is
growing more unsafe each day
and relief must be had through an
honorable settlement. Employees
now on strike are firm in their po-
sition and will continue so as long
as the Association of Railway
Executives declines to accept rea-
sone bic terms of agreement"
En- their message to Mr.. Stone,
the three union officials emphasiz-
ed their conclusion that "the gov
erament has authority to settle
the strike on the just, fair and
reasonable basis proposed by the
president July 81
However. it is now apparent
that no constructive program is
being proposed theaelegram con-
tinued, .and that unless the rail-
road employees can offer addition
al counsel and advice. the lives and
safety Of employees and the travel
ing public. already endangered by
the continued use of defective rail-
road equipment. will be imperii!-
ed to greater extent. Believing
that the chief executives Of each
of the standard railroad labor Or
carnations, as a result of their
years of experience, broad pubic
viewpoint and sincere desire for in
dustria1 peace, can. by conference
with the officers of the shop crafts.
formulate a program having for its
purpose protection of the public,
preservation of the railroad indus
try and an honorable basis of set
tlement for the managers and the
employees. we urgently recommend
that you. as chairman of the rail
road organizations Wire each chief
executive requesting him to at
tend conference in Washington
Friday. August IL.
We do not expect that strike
action will be suggested at the gen
eral conference" said Mr.. jewell,
speaking for his associates in ex-
planning the purpose of its call,
but we do consider that it will
shortly be necessary for other en-