Evening star., 1922-08-25

do this. because such action on their
part would not in any way affect or
prejudice the rights or privileges Of
others who did not participate in the
strike.
The railway executives also agreed
that II, after the men returned TO
work. there remained any unsettled
dispute growing out OF the situation
which the companies and the repre-
sentatives of the employees were un-
able to settle in direct conference.
such matters should be referred for
hnal determination to commission
OF ten members to be made up of the
chief executives of the five train ana
engine mems brotherhood who were
acting as mediators and the Ave rail-
road executives experienced in mat
ters such as would naturally come
before a committee Of that kind.
The railway presidents also pro-
posed that II an agreement could be
reached along lines substantially as
indicated above, they would enoea-
vor to carry out the agreement In
spirit of conciliation and sincere pur-
pose to effect a general settlement
of all matters in controversy result
ing from the strike.
The railway executives were GER
tain that, while making substantial
concessions to the men on strike.
such a settlement as proposed would
IN no way EdCIluC0 tHe ElshS VI
privileges OF the loyal men now en-
ployed by the companies represented.
THE committee of mediators work
ed helpfully with the carriers in an
effort to bring about an acceptable
adjustment. The railway executives
who took part in the conferences sin
cerely regret that the representatives
of striking employees. although def.
nitely assured the substance of all
that they asked for. were unwilling
to agree to a settlement, except un-
der conditions which the railway
to accept.
1T is difficult to imagine any fairer
basis of compromise than the one de-
veloped at yesterdays conference and
agreed to by the carriers represe nted
1T Gust be assumed therefore, that the
present controversy can not be set
tied by that method
The executives statement issued by
Daniel Willard. head OF tho Baltimore
and Ohio. added that the rights OF
loyal employees would be protected,
A statement issued at labor head
quarters said that. while not cues
tioning the integrity Of the executives
in making their latest proposal. the
unions could not accept 1t.
The shopcraft leaders. in their reply
to the executives, said that to accept
the proposition of the minority OF
railroads would destroy the effective
ness of the strike and that they would
men.
In making public the shopcrafts' re-
ply to the executives. Bert NJ. Jewell.
spokesman for the strikers. issued a
short statement. In which he said:
we do not blame the more reason
able executives who have evidently
xI~ 10 "a heltAvA fha a
few weeks will enable them to bring
home to their hard-shell colleagues the
railroad situation in its grim reality"
Mr.. JEWELS statement follows:
THE conference has shown that the
group of roads which has been con-
ferring will at present make no con-
cessions They stand Arm on the po-
sition of the Association Of Railway
Executives; which refuses seniority
right. This refusal of seniority rights
to union men, 1t is now clear. is not
for the purpose Of keeping promises
purpose of disciplining their mon for
a legal. and justified strike.
This is a position with which the
men cannot compromise. To go back
under such terms would. mean defeat,
when, as q matter of fact, We are VIC
torious. The breakdown OF equipment
and the shortage of ears. and locemo-
tives is now shown by government
statistics. It will be obvious to every
shipper and farmer during the next
few weeks. We shall be content to
let the condition Of equipment prove
that the railroads cannot operate with
unskilled strikebreakers and to bring
the executives to a more reasonable
frame of mind.
"We do not blame the more reason
able executives who have evidently
yielded to pressure. We believe the
next few weeks will enable them to
bring home to their 'hard-she1Ied COL
leagues the entire railroad situation
In its grim reality. We can and we
will tight for our minimum terms ana
for 4 nationwide settlement as long
as manaaements can and will.
/, I'm behalf of the public's interest
we have offered to compromise on
everything but our existence. Now
that we are compelled to fight our
ytntory Wili bring with It victory on
III issues for which the strike was
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