New Britain herald., 1922-08-24

NeW OrK, Aug. 24-(by ASSOCldt- ed Press)-The big five brotherhood chiefs and representatives of a scon of railroads today prepared to thresf cut the possibility of individual lines settling with their striking shopmen.
 This possibility was raised by lear CTS of the running trades appearing as nediators at conference yester. day with the entire membership o1 the association of railway executives which rejected the proposals of the brotherhood men that the rail heads yie.i on The disputed question of sen- iority rights.
 Hope Still Expressed
 Encouraged by a belief that indi- vidual settlements might yet prove the basis for peace, the "big f1ve' leaders conferred until after midnight with the heads of score or more of ex- ecutives who, when the general con- ference adjourned, expressed a will ingness to continue negotiations all though reaffirming their committee men stand against the unions sen- iority proposals.
 Then when the executives left, Agreeing to renew their peace efforts today the "big i've returned to their headquarters where they remained until 1853 a. m, closeted with B. M Jewell, president of the striking crafts, and II other heads of station ary trades What developed at this session was not disclosed
 Meeting Again Today
 Daniel Willard, spokesman for the group of executives, had previously announced that they would meet the brotherhood chiefs again today but without disclosing where or when the session would take place. It was re- ported unoffcially, however, that the Yale club, scene of yesterdays major developments, again would be the seat of negotiations. The exact status of the renewed negotiations remained this morning somewhat clouded
 Both the executives who conferred last night with the brotherhood men and those who prepared to leave for their homes early in the evening, united in asserting that the negotia- tions were continued for the purpose of testing the sincerity of the media tors In. suggesting the possibility of separate settlements. It was announc- ed, however, that any individual set clement would have to be made in the light of the understanding on senior ity reached at general session of the association of railway executives.
 At the same time, certain shop crafts leaders were quoted as assert ing that the brotherhoods had not been authorized to suggest any individual settlements.
 This proposal, it was reported, was made by L. E. Shephard. head of the conductors, when the mediators ap- peared before the entire body of ex- ecutives As quoted by one rail execu- tive, he asserted that if any sizeable | number of roads showed an inclina- ton to accept the final proposal of the brotherhoods, the shop crafts would drop their 'all for one and one for all' policy which precluded any but nationwide agreement.
 Reasons For Failure
 The failure of a majority of the | roads to participate in negotiations which the so-caled minority contin- ued late last night was ascribed to two reasons:
 e 1.-Their refusal to recognize the seniority demands of the strikers as a basis for settlement.
 2.-Their refusal to consider taking back all of the strikers, point which President Harding's last proposal con- tained and which the strikers have op ~{e ete ptI der |