Evening journal., 1922-08-16
delphia, the Presidents message

delphia, the Presidents MESA &c
should be delayed.
The non-striking railroad labor
representatives will leave here at
o'clock this afternoon for the
New York conference with the rail
executives. They will be accom-
panied by some representatives of
the striking shopmen. l.. E. Shep-
pard. Of the conductors, said.
Sheppard denied that the labor
group has formed a new plan for
ending the strike, stating that media
tion OF the controversy Is the aim OF
these representatives and that this
Is no time to present definite pro-
grams.
Administration leaders are in
clined TO the view that the dispu-
tants, in agreeing to the Thursday
meeting, simply are jockeying for
public favor. There can be no set
tlement unless one side or the other
is prepared to make radical conces-
sions.
Pessimism for settlement was
found in the fiat rejection of Mr..
Harding's second proposal by the
leaders Of the 10000 striking shop
craftsmen. The strikers leaders de-
mand unimpaired seniority rights
and the railroad executives stand
just as firmly against the demand.
Warren S. Stone, president of the
brotherhood Of Locomotive Engi-
neers who asked T. Dewitt Cuyler
chairman OF the Association of Rail
way Executives for the conference
refused TO state the nature of his
plan. He said he and the other ''big
four" brotherhood chiefs were act
ing as mediators between the rail-
roads and the strikers. and the meet
ing represented one more effort for
peace.
swift action Is necessary to head
off a serious breakdown OF the rail-
roads, II was made known in a report
on defective rolling stock, by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
This was said to show that about so
per cent. of the 10000 locomotives
in the United States are in need of
repairs. A letter to the President
from Chairman McChord, of the
commission, stated that since the
strike the commission has observed
with concern the progressive deter
ioration of motive power"
Mr.. Harding's reply was that the
law requiring railroads to withdraw
bad order equipment from service
must be enforced The safety of the
travelling public is the first consid-
Grafton. Mr.. Harding feels. The cor
g.
erhood chiefs. who have been charg-
ing an increasing amount of defec-
tive equipment. and have been de-
manding enforcement OF safety laws.
With motive power and other
equipment deteriorating the burden
of moving the increased amount OF
coal that will be mined now that
some OF the operators and miners
have agreed 10 end the strike. will
be a heavy one for many railroads.
In fact. this fact may slow up pro-
duction Of coal.
Conflicting views are heard in Con-
gress as to what legislative action
can be taken. A large majority are
ready to back any request that the
President may make but the belief
prevails among many members that
the executive has ample authority to
meet the situation and that additional
legislation is not needed.
Because OF the new peace move.
Mr.. Harding may delay making
recommendations for legislation until
after It is seen whether an ending Of
the strike will result from the New
York conference. His message then
would be an outline OF the issues
involved and of his futile efforts to
settle the dispute.
The Department Of Justice is con-