The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-08-17
in
Rail Strike
Is Brighter
Harding l. Expected to Delay
Message to Congress Pend.
ing Outcome Of Confer.
ence in New York. +
Union Stand Unchanged

Washington, Aug lb--(By A. ~
Agreement between railroad ea.
ceu,iyrs and railroad labor organisa-
ton leaders TO hold another confer.
cncc Thursday in New York TO seek
a settlement Of the shopmen's strike,
!, was said. had resulted In President
Harding questioning the desirability
Of making his expected report 20
congress and the country on the
strike situation within the next few
hours Plans made for the reeep-
ton OF his communication Thursday
al a joint session OF the house and
senate consequently were understood
TO be on the verge OF a revision. az
the president was represented as be-
ing dcsirous Of Withholding his state
ment OF the case II the UNION chiefs
and the railroad presidents could
hold out any prospect OF a mutually
satisfactory settlement
Heads of the seven railroad labor
organizations on strike met with the
officials OF unions not involved 10
the controversy and alter some delay
reached a decision 10 take almost
the entire group 10 New York iof
the discussions with the executives
Though officers OF the five organi'
cations OF train service employes, the
engineers, conductors, iirrmen,
brakcmen and switchmen, will be the
only ones actually 10 meet with the
committee OF railway executives
their chairman, Warren s. Stone, de-
clared they desired close at hand all
the strike leaders and the spokesmer
for all the other railroad unions.
Agreement Reached.
Some objection 10 this plan deyel-
oped among the strike leaders, but
they finally arranged TO send most
OF their group, including B. NJ. Jew
ell their chairman, 10 New York,
and to call in all concerned in case
any settlement proposals emerged
from the discussions.
Mr.. Stone and the brotherhood Of
ficials who will meet with the rail
executives declared they were not
taking any prepared proposition to
the meeting with the management.
l.. Z. Sheppard, president OF the
Order OF Conductors, said the de.
inand OF the strikers for full seniority
status il case OF their return 10 work
could not be modified. and the views
OF the strike leaders appeared to CO.
incidc entirely w'h this position.
The seniority questiol- has been the
crucial issue in the str,'-e situation
ever since the organizations now out
OF service agreed to order their men
back pending rehcarings before the
railroad labor board OF wage cuts
which went into effect July /.
Harding and Lodge Confer.
President Harrison OF the Southern
railway, who announced early this
week after unsuccessful attempts 10
deal separately with the striking
unions on the basis OF granting them
the seniority demand, that the South
ern would proceed to employ outside
men, issued a statement declaring
that people all over the south now
demand that this strike be fought
out"
President Harding, who was under
stood to be preparing his message to
congress, held discussions concern
ing it during the day with Senator
Lodge, the republican leader in the
senate. 1t was considered certain.
advisers said. that he would not re-
quest legislation to deal with the
rail strike, although it was regarded
as probable he would assure con
grcss that such request would be
made il the situation necessitated.
It was said to be his intention 10
explain the whole industrial situa-
ton IN the light of steps taken BY the
administration with reference to the
strikes, and il was considered prob
able that he would express a deter
mination to give federal aid and pro-
lection to efforts to keep the rail
roads running, This determination,
It was suggested. inclined him To
delay his pronouncements for a few
hours al least. lest they effect the
continued efforts Of nonstrikinr
unions TO mediate for the strikers.
Traffic Maintained.
Railroad traffic is continuing 10
maintain fair volume, according 10
reports to the Association OF Rail
way Executives, during the week
ending august 5. sSl,3sl cars being
loaded with freight This was said
TO be reduction OF s,is2 cars from
The previous week. but an increase
OF oS,ES cars over the corresponding
week OF 1921
On lpH 81 the association also
sad there were 1902 surnh,s
lreighi cars In good repair ON lines
Immediately available iar service
lhh was a decrease az 2s py ear,
lnly "a