South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-29
TWO POSSIBILITIES
FOR HALTING RAIL
STRIKE SUGGESTED
Technical Dispute, Following
Conference, Would Allow
Board to Act.

CHICAGO. June 2S-CBy \. PD
Two possible means of averting
the threatened rail strike Of 100000
shopmen suggested themselves to
railway circles Wednesday night,
following what Il. NJ. Jewell, as head
of the shop unions, termed the last
word" TO the railroads in the union
ultimatum sent TO the association OF
railway executives Tuesday night.
The executives, by coincidence.
were scheduled TO meet in Chicago
Thursday afternoon and local rail-
way executives Wednesday said the
shopmen's proposal for truce
pending further negotiations on
wages and working conditions would
undoubtedly receive attention.
Pres't JEWELS telegram Tuesday
night to T Dewitt Cuyler. chairman
of the executives. left little leeway
for avoiding the strike, it was felt
by railway officials Wednesday.
The certain rejection of the unions
proposal therefore, left. in the opin-
ion of railway men, but two possible
loopholes to avoid issuance Of the
strike call. one was that a confer
ence between the union leaders and
the executives might be called and
if no agreement was reached. a tech
meal dispute might be announced,
over which the railway labor board,
acting under authority Of the trans
portation act, could take Jurisdiction,
as il did in the big four brother
hoods strike last year. and act to
prevent a walkout.
The other was that if the strike is
called. the board could also take
jurisdiction under the act on the
ground that the strike would in
terrupt commerce. and order the
men back TO work.
p. w. Hooper refused to COM
ment on the two possible ways. Mr.
jewell while refusing also to dis
CUss the possibilities Of a conference
Thursday with the railway execu-
tives, said that a statement would
be given out Thursday afternoon
about the hour the executives go
into session.
Among phases of the strike situa-
ton which received considerable at
tentiOn Wednesday night was the
fact that but 10 roads are involved
in the practice of contracting work
TO outside firms. one of the points on
which the shopmen cast their strike
vote. Among the POI railroads
themselves. there was said 10 be a
decided split on the question OF con-
tracing and there was said to be
some doubt as to whether the ma
jority of the roads, which have re-
Trained from contracting. would sup
port the minority, which has held
contracting TO be the legal right.
Chairman Cuyler and the heads
of the larger roads Of the country
were 10 arrive in Chicago Thursday
morning. for a conference on con-
tracts with the American Railway
Express Co. Numerous other sub
jects would be discussed. it was said.
Railroads moved Wednesday 10
place all shop work under the con-
tract system. 10 meet the strike Of
more than 10000 workers set for
July /.
A strike, railroads believe, will
give them the opportunity long
sought, TO place their shop work
with contractors.
This is opposed by the United
States railroad labor board. but the
executives claim that the men by
striking. will violate the board's
ruling first. and 10 meet the situa-
ton. they plan 10 extend the con-
tract system.
Rail union leaders today waited
for a reply 10 the strike ultimatum
sent by the shop crafts 10 the Asso-
citation of Railroad Executives.
IL was learned on good authority
that union leaders would meet half
way any concessions granted by the
railroad executives. The general i'm
preston, however was that the rail-
roads would refuse 20 comply with
any OF the demands made
Decision or Wei Strike.
A guarantee oy the railroads that
they would abide by decisions OF the
! United States railroad labor board on
/ labor contracting is said 10 be one
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