The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-11
RAIL HEADS MAY
SPLIT ON LATEST
HARDING PLAN
Magnates Are Gathering to
Vote on Proposal Today.
Eastern Representatives Are
Out for a Rejection.
WESTERN ROADS HARDEST HIT
This Group Wants to See the
Proposal Ratified.
No Step Taken by Shop Crafts
to Frame Answer.
WESTERN ROADS HARDEST hit
This Group Wants to See the
Proposal Ratified.


seventeen railroad labor organizations.
including those on strike and the
larger operating brotherhoods consid-
cred President Harding's latest strike
settlement proposal for more than two
hours today without reaching any de-
cision as to what response should be
made by the men on strike w. s.
Stone, grand chief of the brotherhood
of engineers, who presided at the ses-
sion which adjourned shortly after
noon. said another meeting would be
held later in the day.
(By the Associated Press.l
New York, Aug. 1.-Two hundred
transportation magnates, representing
the nations biggest railroads. gathered
at Grand Central terminal today to
vote acceptance or rejection of PreSt-
dent Harding's latest proposal in the
shopmen's strike.
The attack on the proposal was led
by l.. F. Loree, president of the Dela-
ware & Hudson. W.. w. Atterbury OF
the Pennsylvania, A. H. Smith of the
New York Central. and Frederick I'm
derwood of the Erie. To accept the
plan they maintained would be to
jeopardize their promises to nom
strikers and new employees that sem
iority rights would be based on loyalty.
1t also would spell victory for the
unions, by again giving them recogni-
ton before the labor board which last
July 8, outlawed all strikers.
As third ground for refusing the
presidents offer the belligerents de-
clared they already were in sight OF
an open victory over the strikers, and
urged that they be permitted to con-
tinue without interference as a finish
fight
Western Roads Want to Accept.
President Felton, of the Chicago &
Great Western, acknowledged spokes-
man for western and southwestern
lines was looked upon as a leader in
the movement to ratify the peace pro-
posa1.
His group stands for ratification
not because they have any more faith
in the decision of the labor board, but
because they want the strike settled
and their shops restored to normal.
In addition they want the good will
of the public, which they believe
would swing to the strikers IL the As
sociation of Railway Executives
should again turn deaf ear to Pres
ident Harding. These western and
southern roads have been hard hit by
the strike and their managers express
none Of the desire for a finish fight"
apparent in the camp of the bigger
eastern systems. Their reserves OF
locomotives are small, they have few
surplus cars. and their schedules have
been badly disrupted.
Many Trains Cut Off.
Numerous passenger and freight
trains have been discontinued, they
point out--a condition not yet true OF
the east-to an alarming extent. The
imminence of another bumper har-
vest, which with a strike on, would
find them almost paralyzed. was an
other of their strongest argum suts.
With so many issues to be thrashed
out, and with at least three factions
to be brought together before there
could be majority action. officials or
the association forecast that IL would
be hours before the drafting Of a re-
ply to President Harding would begin.
They looked for no such spontaneous
and unanimous action as greeted the
presidents first proposal, which they
asserted, would have been rejected in
the first few minutes. had II not
been for the interruption of Herbert
Hoover, secretary of commerce, who
appeared with a plea from the Whits
House for favorable consideration OK
the plan.
Labor Heads in washington.
Washington, Aug. 11.-Heads Of all
railway labor unions were in wash
ington to consider President Hard
ing's latest proposals for termination
of the shop crafts federation strike
The general conference was sought by
shop craft leaders Immediately on re-
ceipt of the second White House eff
fort at mediation, and so far as known
the shop craft executives who have
been here several days have taken no
step as yet toward framing their