New-York tribune., 1922-08-04
Will Take No Immediate
Step, but Is Watching
Threat of Allied Raii
Unions Against Lines
Centers Efforts ON I
Coal Distribution
Gov. Miller Pledges Aid
in Plan; No Discrimina.
ton Against N. Y. Port
From The rrsbumss Washington ssreas

From The Tr.bume's Washington BaYeos
WASHINGTON, Aug. g. The
Administration is determined to give
the railroads every opportunity to
demonstrate whether they can keep
trains moving and obtain men for
their repair shops, despite the shop.
mems strike, before making any new
peace move, it was indicated here to-
day. If any immediate steps are
contemplated by President Harding
in consequence of the rejection of his
peace plan by the roads and its ere.
iuctant" acceptance by the unions.
there was no hint of them in official
circles, where "hands-off" policy
IS apparently being pursued.
There were some indications that
added protection might be given the
shopmen who want to work, and IL
was recognized that the increasingly
large number of men seeking en-
pioyment on the roads should ius.
prove the situation.
Other Unions Bring Pressure
Officials are watching the situation
closely and exhibited interest in the
apparent effort being made among rail-
road union men to bring further pres-
sure to bear on the road executives
TO force them to accept President
harding's plan or to consent to re-
opening Of the peace negotiations. The
telegram sent by E. L. Manion, Of the
Railway Telegraphers, to the heads oe
the twelve rail unions not on strife,
suggesting that they meet to consider
the strike situation "and possible
action" was regarded as step toward
employment of pressure on the roads.
The fact that most of the union chiefs
are said to favor the conference suy-
gestion, it was said, might be factor
in forcing some break in the deadlock.
Pending some change in the rail
strike situation the Administration Is
concentrating on clearly defined pol
Icy of bringing about greater produc-
tion and better distribution of coal.
+ QILLCE pIiOIlty LU Opteu up
the distribution will be issued SOON
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion,, Fuel Distributor Spencer an
nounced.
Governor Nathan L. Miller of New
York, accompanied by Chairman ru-
gene H. Outerbridge, of the Port OF
New York Commission; J. Spencer
Smith. the New Jersey member of &nis
commission, and Joseph Bancroft, c. i.
Cant and w. A. Hcakman, came To
Washington to-day to discuss arrange
ments for getting fuel t., New York.
Governor Miller and his party saw
President Harding, Secretary Of Corr
merce Hoover and Mr.. Spencer. 1t was
learned afterward that the Governor
assured the Administration oficisls
of the most cordial support in the coal
plans of the government.
Port to Get Foreign Coal
Promises that the port of New Yoris
would not be Disseminated against in
the allocating Of imported coal were
given on the Administration side. Gov
ernor Miller had feared that most OF
the imported coal would be brought in
through Boston, it having been argued
by some Of the Boston citizens that, ts
this way more coal could be trans
ported across the Atlantic. Governor
Miller pointed out that while it was
true that New York was further from
the Welsh and British mines than Bos-
ton, this was more than compensated
for by the fact that the railroad strike
was cutting down the efficiency of the
roads, and that much Of the Goa,
brought to New York could be delivered
to the ultimate consumer without piac-
ing tax on railroad rolling stock, sons
by being consumed in New York City
and some by being moved over the wster
routes of New York and New jersey.
Governor Miller departed very we'll
satisfied with the success of his mis-
sion.
Most of the reports being received
here on the railroad strike indicate
that the railroad companies are in
creasing the forces ut work in their
shops. The process seems to be slow,
but the statements that such gains are
being made are coming in from all oyess.
the country.
Meanwhile there is a sharp conflict
in the statements reaching Washington
as to the condition of the railroad
If the railroad adviccs are
TO be accepted, the roads are getting
along surprisingly WE'LL II the state
nents from union labor channels are TO
be believed, the roads are nearly ali In
n F~otsbSt NWACsS SssCy 9hS a0VaS w 12
TO suspend all service.
What the truth is nobody here seems
to know. Certainly no official state
ment is being made, and most officials
admit that they do not know what tho
Of accuracy is in the ssate-
nents Of either side.
Outside Pay Scale Factor
II the railroads stand firm on the
seniority question. it is believed W
some observers here, they cannot fail
in q short time to begin to attract.
capable machinists to their shops from
shops doing similar work not connect
ed directly with the railroads. The
point la that the railroad shop employ
ees, even at the redsced wage hxsd Hy
the Railrcad Labor Board, are paid
more thar men doing similar work In
outside shops.
This is the real explanation of tha
fact that sons Of the railroads werc
giving more and more Of their rspaar
work TO outside shops. These outside
not troubled by goyer4,-
mental orders and regulatsons, ana