The New York herald., 1922-08-05
SEE RAIL DANGER
Message Says Locomo-
tives and Equipment
Are Unsafe. Due
to Neglect.
SHOPMEN INVOLVED
Engineers. Trainmen and
Firemen Complain of
Conditions.
CONDUCTORS DON'T ACT
Others Say They Fear Being
Drawn In as a Matter of Self
Protection.
CONDUCTORS DON'T ACT

CLEVELAND. Aug Associated
Press Legislative representatives Of
three OF the four railroad brother
hoods in Washington were requested
by telegraph tonight to arrange a
conference between President Harding
and the chief executives OF the broth
erhoods for the purpose OF presenting
TO the President their views in con-
nection with the present strike OF rail-
road shopcrafts
4 telegram was sent direct to Presi-
dent Harding tonight by the three
local chief executives or the brother
hood asking FOR conference.
The matter has been under con-
sideration since yesterday by Warren
$. Stone, president Of the Brotherhood
OF Engineers: W. @ Lee. president OF
the Brotherhood Of Railroad Train
men. and ID. B. Robertson. president
Of the Brotherhood OF Firemen and
Enginemen. but because OF failure 10
get reply for joint action from l.. +.
Sheppard, president Of the Order or
| Railway Conductors. and the other
member of the Big Four. 1t was de-
cided tonight to ask for the confer
ence through the legislative repre-
sentatives OF the engineers. trainmen
and firemen.
Mr.. Sheppard was telegraphed that be-
cause of the serious situation hourly de-
H.
ference Immediately.
III you decide to take similar action
you can wire your Legislative Repre-
sentative direct" the telegram said.
Text OF the Telegram.
The telegram addressed 10 the three
legislative representatives was addressed
to r. r. Wills OF the engineers. Arthur
J LEVEL or the firemen and W. ). Doak
OF the trainmen. as follows
CLEVELAND, Ohio. Aug. T.
Referring to our joint telegram this
date authorizing you 10 arrange confer
ence wiz. the President. We have wired
the President follows:
The undersigned have this day wired
our national legislative representatives
at Washington instructing them 10 re-
quest conference with you for the
purpose of presenting TO you our views
in connection with the present strike OF
railroad shop crafts. which IS daily de-
veIoping into a more serious situation.
"tSignedl
stone. LEE and ROBERTSON"
Another message 10 the three legisla-
tive representatives signed by the three )
chief executives. sent tonight. gives de-
tails FOR the urgency Of the conference,
made necessary by the flood OF COM
plants received at headquarters regard
ing working conditions on railroads
since the beginning OF the shopmens
strike through Brotherhood members
being asked 70 take out locomotives end
equipment ia dangerous and unsafe
condition and Of assaults upon and in
suits to Brotherhood members by armed
guards.
The legislative representa- atives arc re-
uuested to file this message with the
President a. a basis for discussion with
him OF the question al issue.
Message n sent.
The message is as follows;
~ +. Wills. Arthur j. Lowell and W.
y. Doak Washington.
Complaints in Increasing numbers are
pouring into our respective offices
against demands that our men take out
locomotive and equipment which are ia
dangerous and unsete condition. Ia tio-
lation OF safety statutes and rules which
have been enacted for the protection
Of The lives and property OF the public,
and or assaults on and insults to our
members bv armed guards that are
placed On the various railroad prop
critics.
up 10 this time by constant urging
or neutral attitude fidelity TO their
contracts and in the interests Of public
peace and safety, we have prevailed on
our members 10 continue at their posts.
Constant aFpravation Of the above con
di,ious and the refusal Of the railroad
executives 70 accept the proposals. or
the President for a compromise settle
ment Of pending questions are making
the situation infinitely more difficult
70 handle. The plain intentioa or the
railroad executives 70 smash the shop
craft unions Is resulting in more and
more or the locomotives and equipment
getting into disrepair and the dangers
or most hazardous occupation are
being daily increased.
Dcpiore Contingency.
I'VE fear that continuation or these
conditions WIN inevitably result in our
members. as a matter Of seif-protectlou.
being dra wn into the controversy, and
We greatly deplore such 4 contingency.
we feel that the American public ~
fully IN sympathy with tho Presidents
efforts 70 settle this strike. and In the
light OF the above facts. and in the
interest of public welfare. peace and
safety. we sregest you call upon tho
President and urge him % again hrin-
this matter 70 the. attention or the rail-