The New York herald., 1922-08-19
MEETING ADJOURNS
WHILE REFERENDUM
OF ROADS IS TAKEN
Committee Decides 1t Lacks
Power to Act After Hear
ing Unions Proposals.
END OF STRIKE is SEEN
Shopmen May Return on
sGentlemen's Agreement
Restoring Seniority.

y
Heads of all the railroads involved
in the strike will meet in New York
next week, probably on Tuesday, to
consider proposals made by the unions
intended to end the controversy.
This was decided upon yesterday at
the end of two days conference be-
tween the committee Of railway execu-
tives and the five brotherhood chiefs
acting as mediators for the strikers.
1t is expected that the roads will be
able to present a definite answer be-
fore the end of the week. Until the
answer is ready the conference, which
has been going on at 81 Broadway, is
adjourned. The union spokesmen will
stay in New York or in calling dis
tance. When the executives of the
las railroads succeed in formulating
their reply the conference will be re-
sumed.
Compromise is Expected.
So far as can be learned. while the
unions have modified or expressed their
willingness to modify the phraseology OF
their terms, they have not receded from
their demand that when the strikers re-
turn to work 1t shall be with seniority
and all other privileges unimpaired. Yet
their leaders seem to feel that a way
viii be found OF gaining this to them
all important point and at the same
time the railroad managcments be en-
abled to do justice both to the en-
ployees who stuck to their jobs and to
those taken on to fill the places OF
strikers.
To the outsider this seems to be an
impossible achievement, but the i'm
preston gained in union circles Is that
the executives, after sitting with the
mediators for two days and swapping
fact and argument with them, are at
least willing to consider The position
of the unions as defined in conference.
Neither side was willing to state the
nature OF the union proposal, but IL
was OF such a character that the COM
mittee of eight railway executives felt
that 1t could not give an answer on its
own responsibility. Hence the call for
the big inclusive meeting next week. The
fact that this meeting is to take. place
is accepted as in itself indicating a pos
sible end of the strike, although all the
men engaged in the negotiations are
averse 10 prophecy. They say, indeed,
that prediction of any kind might prove
harmful at this time.
G~ntI~u,e..~ A-r~cu,oux g-u-o.s..I
The suggestion Of the union medators
amounts roughly to proposal that all
the strikers be taken back as rapidly as
possible. with their seniority rights TO
be adjusted ultimately with satisfaction
TO all. 1t Is understood that. as out
lined in conference, this would be arr
ranged by a gentlemen's agreement. un-
der which both sides would understand
distinctly just how the seniority demand
was to be met. One strong talking point
OF the unions has proved to be their con-
tention that capable men, whether
strikers or strikebreakers. would not
lose their Jobs. because In the rush Of
work that will follow the end Of the
strike every efficient hand will be needed.
The unions have not omitted to remind
the roads that the immense need of coal
transportation. now that the coal strike
Is ending and of crop transportation re-
quires equipment which would keep
everybody busy. When the inevitable
slackening comes the wedding out pro-
cess would. under the proposed gentle
mems agreement, follow the usual lines.
The only official statement yesterday
was made at the end OF the conference
By r. DO Witt Cuyler. chairman OF the
Association Of Railway Executives who
said.
THE conferences between the leaders
OF the five train service organizations.
acting MS mediators. and committee OF
railway executives. have been adjourned
until some day next week not yet desig-
mated Prior TO further conferences the
committee OF railway executives will
consider further the suggestions made
and consult with their associates. The
discussions which have taken place have
Leen marked by commcndable public
spirit and franl<ness on both sides. and
this recess is taken without any diminu-
ton OF this attitude
Referendum Felt Necessary.
Some OF the union leaders believed yes
tcrday morning that settlement would
be reached before nightfall. They had a
general confab at the Woodstock Hotel