The Washington times., 1922-08-06

of the striking shopmen. and for
more than an hour discussed with
him and his associates the posi-.
bilities of settlement.
Big -Four Likely TO Quit.
Hard on the heels of the strike
leaders, the representatives of the
four powerful hrotherhoods went 10
the White House and informed the
President that unless the strike of
the shopmen Is adjusted shortly the
locomotive engineers, firemen and
conductors wiil be compelled to leave
their posts because impaired rolling
stock makes it impossible to operate
trains with safety.
For an hour the spokesmen for the
Brotherhoods outlined to the Chief
Executive the condition of the Coun-
try's rolling stock. and the picture
they drew is understood to have been
a gloomy one.
From the White House last right
came no indication OF the govern.
ment,s next step in the situation,
but from an official i'm close touch
with conditions came the significant
statement that Monday would see
big step taken by the government" 4"
There was no dedication OF the ma.
ture OF the step,
Something Coming Monday.
Earlier reports that the President
had submitted to Jewell and his a..
sociates a new plan of settlement
were contradicted last night by both
Administration spokesmen. and rep.
resentatives of the unions. The
President put forth no plan, il was
said.
Reports that something is coming
on Monday" were lent strength, how
ever, by the announcement that
Jewell and his colleagues, as well as
representatives of the brotherhOods,
will remain in Washington until after
Monday.
Some Significance was attached
last night to the fact that in his
renewal of contact with parties 10
the controversy, President Harding
sent only for the labor leaders and
NOT for the railway executives, who
so unanimously rejected his com
promise peace program on Tuesday.
The labor representatives frankly
expressed to the President in yes
terday's conference that the rejeC-
ton of peace overtures by The rX-
eCutives and the uncompromising
attitude of the influential Eastern
roads in particular is a part of a
gigantic scheme to break the
unions and compel the open shop"
GOmpers Broadens Call.
In this connection Samuel Comp.
ers, president of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, made the charge
last night, and in support of il he
made public a copy of a general call
to employers throughout the Coun-
try put out by the National Indus
trial Council. with headquarters at
so Church street, New York.
This telegram, Gompers said, was
sent to "every employers association
in the country, to Chambers of Com.
merce, civic bodies and other organ.
izations." AS made public by Comp
ers, IL said:
THE railway strike will be won
if industry acts Immediately and
effectively. Situation as much a
test of our ability as of railway
executives. Immediate needs are,
first, volume (oD expression Grom)
associations, but particu arly indi-
viduals, to President sustaining
position railroads on seniority ques,
ton, and urging Administration sup
port; second, Immediate conference
with your local railway officials for
purpose assisting them to man
shops third, pressure on presidents
of roads your territory to stand
firm on position to date. We
speak advisedly; above suggested ac.
tions imperative and permit no de.
lay. Urgently request wire reply.
(Signedl NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL
COUNCIL"
Recess Plan Abandoned.
This telegram, Gompers subse
quently declared, is responsible for
the flood of kilograms and letters
which has been rolling into the
White House this week, addressed
to Mr.. Harding, and urging that
he support the railroads on the
troublesome seniority issue.
One Administration move yester
day that was regarded as signi.
fiCant was notifiCa ton sent TO Con.
gressional leaders not to anticipate
a series of three day recesses for the
House when they returned to Wash
lngton on August Is, President
Harding is understood TO desire n
full Congress at his disposal as soon
as possible to lend any legislatlv,
assistance that subsequent action
may require.