New-York tribune., 1922-06-21
Disaster to Rail
Men i'm Strike,
HooperPredicts
Labor Board Chairman. in
Reply to Union Leaders,
Says Public Will Not Sup
port Proposed Walk-Out
Distori Ruling, Is Charge
Declares Letter of Chiefs Re-
vcals Striking Misconcep-
ton Of Wage Decision

CHICAGO, June ~ BY inc Assoc
ated resi- Disaster for the striking
railway unions and unfortunate results
- their membership vas predicted 10
follow the threatened walkout. on
which n strike is now being taken by
nine railroad labor organizations. in a
letter from Ben W Cooper, chairman
~ the Railroad Labor Board, 10 the
union leaders to-day.
Answering a letter from the union
chiefs. which declared the executives
would authorize strike n the en-
nlovees demanded 10. Chairman Hooper
made categorical reply 20 the "herce
assaults" on the board for which he de-
clared there was no ground
with the degree of friendly an
.orcst that feel In these organizations
and with tho recognition ! accord 20
their great service 20 the membership.
I an hopeful that they will not adopt
4 course that will surely prove disas-
,rous 10 the organizations and unior.
innate 20 the men composing tnem'
wrote Mr Hooper
Letter Distorted Conception
at IS rerre,table tia, such step
is conterpiated ~ a time when me
country is Just entering upon an ora
a. more stable industrial condition.
and that gives promise Of an enlarged
degree Of prosperity 20 railway an"
plovees
Although Chairman Hooper said N
the letter. which was addressed 10 3.
n level. president Of the Railway
Ernlovocs Department Of The Amer. -
cor Federation Of Labor that no feii
70 reply was required to the UNI nis
strike avowai, he expressed "a wiling
/ ness 90 70 beyond the strict limits o.
-v oficial authority in the interest," or
railway peace" He said he fclt u ms
duty 10 reply because the threatened
strike contains SUCH possibilities OF
foss and detrimcrt" 90 the strikers. ] ne
chairman added that strike vote
should not be taken on any nisnnoer.
Standing Of the action or attitude ~
fhe board. but declared 'hc union
ehioFs letter manifested "a striNngiy
distorted conception of what the board
has doro and why . did it
Sevora. statements were pointed out
ss distortions
"Your statement that the board last
decision states openly that pressure Of
circumstances was such that me board
was unable 90 determine any just res
,orabic wages is not correct the let
ter SAID "The decision contains no
such statement and mono that can be
/ fairly so construed.
Perversion for Facts Charged
+ d your statement that this board says
that the establishment % just wages
b for railway workers must await the
complete satisfaction ~ ownership IN
the matter of fehabi itstion ard profis
Is an ine1cusable perversion o. both
.ne Language and meaning OF wnat the
board in fact said A strike Of rail
wavs employees. involving their wages
.heir employment and their welfare.
based upon such m islaeding statements
Of this boards sentiments and deciafa
tons would be- unjust 90 the men ana
20 the public.
THE statement in the board de-
c.sion that labor cannot be compile iy
freed from the economic laws when
. NkepIso affcc. the earn ngs Of capita
f is 60 obviously sound that j. WI not
be- questioned anywhere TINS side OF
The kingdom o. the Bo.shevikl And
yct you mention this as an occasion io'
ofense.
Your statement that the board
failed 20 take INTO consideration the
principle that oven the lowest paid
railway employee, such as seceionmen
and laborers. should receive a. least
Il living wage. is utterly baseless.
The statement concluded;
surely the leaders Of the railway
labor organizations cannot expect 20
win the approval Of the people of the
United states by p rigid unyielding 20.
sistance to the inevitable process ~
roadjustment which has been in prog
ress for tho past year the letter
II stated
The fact cannot he overlooked that
the policy % tho leaders of fhe en-
rloyces seems 90 hc 20 accept no re-
ouction. however slight