New-York tribune., 1922-07-16

their objections - the decision Of the
board relating TO the appeals CT that
brotherhood
"The President gave the fullest pos
sible hearing and assured hessrs.
Cradle and Fcick that they had taken
the enc defensible course IN present
inC their case.
aHe assured them that inasmuch as
Congress has constituted the Railroad
labor Board FOR the express purpose OF
settling disputes and preventing inter
ruptions 70 transportation, all decisions
must BE accepted By employers and
enployecs alike, and assured them also
that noncompliance on the part Of rail-
Uays had not been brought 20 his
attention until the strike was called.
"He explained that any inadequaey
in the law mus. be corrected by Con-
gress and cannot be Effected BY inter
rupting railway operations.
@Messrs. Cradle and Feick expressed
a hone for an early settlement and de-
ciared that the proper conferences
would end in such settlement. The
President assured them that every pos
sible conference was being sought.
Before leaving for Detroit and after
announcing the call for a meeting OF
his organizations officers, Mr.. Cradle
had this % say as 10 his conference
with the President:
"Our primary reason for seeing the
President was % impress upon him
the necessity Of calling conference
between Sir. Jewell and the railroad
executives In order 20 stop the spread
Of the strike. We feel that this is the
only way 20 ease The situation. and 1
believe il would be effective.
President Stands by Board
@The situation has become acute all
over the country. and We laid before
the President n lot Of facts, many OF
which he said had never come 70 his
attention. This was the hrst direct
profes, we have made 20 Mr. Harding
with the exception Of visit made 70
him three months ago 70 discuss the
cutting % wages The President cen,
sured us for not coming sooner ana
laying al these facts before him.
The Chief Executive did not indieate
whether such a conference Wouto &c
eaiied. Mr.. Cradle said. The labor
ehieftain said the President pointed 70
tbe eevcral-times repeated policy OF
the Administration that, as govern
mental body. the decisions Of the Kali
road Board would be supported by tne
Government % the limit and that any
change in The law as laid down by the
board was up % Congress.
Mr.. Cradle expressed dissatisfaction
that President Harding had not earlier
directed the Labor Board toward an
agreement between the employees ana
The railroads.
"Ue rs MOI reluctant 20 tell the Sen
ate and the House Of Representatives.
what % DO. but has not so directed the
board" Mr Cradle commented.
Calls for Fair Play
The union officials stressed the feel
ing OF the maintenance Of way men
that the public is too quick 20 protest
when the employees take action against
the boards rulings. Violations by the
railroad managers, be said, 20 unpro-
tested, because their action hurts only
the workers, but when the men take
strong action against rulings they DO
not like the public protests immedi-
ately, because they are hit hardest
then.
Mr. Cradle would not forecast the
probable outcome OF the Detroit meet
ing Of the~members Of the union board
saying that he would simply make re-
port to them Of the results OF the con-
ference with the President, the situa-
tion and condition OF the men would
then be further discussed and the ques-
tion Of striking or remaining at wors
would then BE decided.
Mr. Cradle had not decided when he
left Washington tonight what recon-
mendations he would make before the
other union officers as a result Of his
conference with the President. How
ever, he emphasized that his stand
against TIC calling Of strike remained
firm for the present