Imperial Valley press., 1922-07-15
PEACE PLANS
FAIL TODAY
Railroad Men Deadlock on
Compromise Sought
By Board
PREPARE FOR BATTLE
Harding Proposal in Coal
Mine War Considered
Hopeless

CHICAGO, July 15.-Railroad shop
men got set for a long drawn-out strike
today following virtual failure of peace
negotiations.
g Fundamental differences prevent
the strikers and railroad officials from
reaching an immediate basis of agree
ment. Chairmen Ben w. Hooper of the
United States Rail Labor Board, who
has been acting as mediator, announc-
ed.
Hooper said that either the union or
the company officials would have to
back down. He is continuing confer
ence with union officials and railroad
heads.
The strike leaders foreseeing walk
out which may continue months, began
selection of fighting force
This force will be composed of about
15 to 20 percent of the strikers and will
take charge of picketing and other ac-
tivities They will be assisted by wives
and sisters of all strikers.
The remaining so percent will take
Jobs, other than railroad work.
Reinstatement Refused
This plan, union leaders believe, will
lessen the chances of violence by hay
ing fewer unemployed near shops which
railroads attempt to operate with strike
breakers.
1t will also probably build up a
strike benefit fund. Strikers who take
other employment will be expected to
contribute one day wages each month
to support the fighting force
The main differences which now sep
arates the strikers and the railroad
arrangements, are reinstatements of the
men who walked out with full seniority
rights and establishments of q national
board of adjustment to decide disputes
over wages and working conditions.
The railroads have refused to 10
either.
The roads agreed to establish region
al boards of control and abolish the
contract system for shop work.
Coal Settlement Fading
WASHINGTON, July 15.-Hope of
ending the grave industrial situation
facing the country because of the coal
and rail strikes, suddenly faded here
today.
Despite threats of President Hard
ing to seize and operate coal mines
and the railroads if such action is ne
cessary to save the country from SER
ious coal famine or an extensive rail
tie up, failure looms for the eXecu-
tive plan to end the coal dispute.
Only in the most serious emergencies
possible would President Harding spon-
sor the drafting of striking coal miners,
it was said at the White House. If
the mines We're seized the president, in
an accompanying proclamation, proba-
bly, would first issue - call to work -
to the strikers, virtually directing them
to return to the mines.
Miners Will Reject Proposal
The United Mine Workers policy
committee, meeting here today to frame
an answer to the president s arbitra
tion proposal is surely certain to re-
ject it.
A previously favorable attitude
toward the plan was suddenly changed
into one of hostility by the refusal of
Harding to agree to notifications of
the proposal as asked by John l.. Lewis,
and other mine union leaders.
The federal government today was
marking time on the question of using
troops in the rail strike. President
Harding is believed TO have "put the
brakes on'' immediate dispatch of the
army to rail centers such as Denison,
Texas, where violence has occurred.
An emergency coal control bill, en-
powering the president to take over
and operate the coal mines until the
country S winter needs have been pro
vided for may be presented in the
senate within Il few DAYS.