New-York tribune., 1922-07-27
Atterbury Sees President,
and Early Concessions
in Seniority Stand of the
Carriers Are Predicted
B. 4 o. Leaves Plan
With the Executive
Capitol Foresees End of
Strike in Few Days as
Outcome ofNegotiations
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, July 2s.-The first
real ray of hope since the rail strike
situation became acute appeared to-day
in connection with the shopmen's lay
off. W. W. Atterbury, president of
the Pennsylvania Railroad, conferred
with President Harding and several
Senator'S, after which it was indicated
that the Pennsylvania might agree to
the recognition of the mems seniority
rights.
This is highly significant, not only
because this is actually the chief
stumbling block at the present mo-
ment in settling the strike, but be-
cause the union leaders, according to
belief here, would be willing to 70 q
long way to get the Pennsylvania
Railroad to back down on this point,
it being generally admitted that the
success of the Pennsylvania in resist
ing the strike is the most serious and
farreaching threat the union leaders
face.
d. q ". SUBMITS Plan
After the second day of conference
between officials of the Baltimore e.
Ohio and it's shopmen, Daniel Willard,
president of the road, was asked by
the union leaders to reduce his propo-
sition to writing. This was sent by
Mr.. Willard, at the request of Sena-
tor Watson, Of Indiana, to President
Harding tonight, Vice-President c. W.
Galloway bringing the document to
Washington.
Chairman T. De Witt Cuyler, Of the
Association of Railway Executives, will
confer with President Harding to-mor-
row, as will also B. NJ. Jewell. A. 0.
Wharton and Timothy Healy, with the
six presidents of the shop unions, who
left Chicago for Washington to-day
AS Senator Watson specifically re-
qucsted Mr. willard. of the Baltimore
& Ohio, to send copy OF his proposals
to his OWE shopmen, growing out Of
to President Harding, it is believed
President Harding desires to have the
Willard compromise in hand for his
conferences with Mr.. Cuyler and the
union officials.
Watson Close to Situation
Senator Watson has been in constant
touch with the President on the strike
situation, not only because he Is a
prominent member of the Senate Inter
state Commerce Committee, but. be-
cause he is q close personal friend and
trusted adviser of the President.
Hence the significance attached to his
request that the Baltimore & Ohio COM
White House before the conference
scheduled for tomorrow.
A distinct impression that the strike
Of the railroad shopmen will end in a
few days as a result of these compro-
mises is manifest in Administration
circles, and the belief goes further that
this settlement will have pronounced
effect on the coal strike situation.
In the first place, if the railroad
shopmen go back to work the priority
orders with regard to shipments can be
modified, leaving only sufficient rcstric-
tions to provide clear tracks from
to points which the government will
designate. The present traffic snarl at
Corbin, KY, through which most Of the
non-union coal Of the Kentucky, south
ern West Virginia and Eastern Tennes-
see fields moves. would be untangled
at once.
"The President" said Mr. Atterbury,
after his conference with the President,
"realizing the Importance of the senior
ity question as the crux of the rail-
road situation, desired to discuss its
various angles in definite settlement.
of the railroad problem. l. expressed
to him the opinion that SO far as the
Pennsylvania system was concerned
such question should properly be
determined by our employees, and that
the Pennsylvania Railroad would be
entirely guided by any determination
that our employees thought wise, fair
and equitable"