Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-12

Washington, Aug. 12-Prospects
for immediate settlement of the rail
road strike definitely faded today as
virtual rejection faced President
Harding's second peace proposal.
Unofficial word from New York,
preceding the arrival here of a COM
mittee of railroad executives, stated
that the Association of Railway EX-
ecutives voted to accept the plan, but
with such reservation that its action
constitutes virtual rejection.
The reply of the shop crafts lead
ers to President Harding's suggestion
that the men go back to work pend
ing adjustment of the seniority ques-
ton by the railroad labor board is
expected to be equally Objectionable.
Their formal answer may be made
this afternoon. after the railroad eX-
ecutives present their own reply to
President Harding at the White
House.
Meanwhile, the is railroad labor
organizations will issue statement
to the public, outlining the position
of railroad labor in the present con-
troversy.
The President was expected TO con-
fer with other Congressional lead
ers today. on the steps to be taken by
Congress next week in the rail
emergency. Senator Cummins, chair
man of the interstate commerce com
mittee. spent two hours with Mr..
Harding last night. Cummins has
drafted bill giving the President
broad powers to take over the rail-
roads when he deems it necessary.
The shop crafts leaders, after de-
Gliding against flat rejection, agreed
on a reply suggesting modification of
the proposal, it was learned. Unless a
last minute change in plans Is made,
the strikers will urge that:
Guarantees be given that the
railroad executives would abide by
the decisions of the railway labor
board
2-The men to stay out on strike
pending adjustment of the seniority
question bv the board:
3-Positive assurances be given
that the board will approach the SEN
iority question with an open mind
and without prejudice y
Bert NJ Jewell, and other shop
craft leaders called attention to the
labor board ruling of July 3, which
it is charged outlawed the unions
and stripped the strikers of their SEN
iority rights. In view Of this ruling
they contend the board is hardly in
position to approach the subject or
seniority rights with an unbiased
viewpoint.
The answer of the shop crafts lead
ers will have the sanction OF the
leaders of the 16 railroad unions. IN
Guiding the powerful Big Brother
hoods, and therefore sound the voice
of the entire body of organized rail-
road labor. ,
A second communication will be adj
dressed to Harding and the public oy
the general conference. Of when
Warren s. Stone. president OF the
Brotherhood of locomotive Engineers
is chairman. This communication IS
expected to support the shop crafts
leaders on the seniority question:
point to the growing dangers OF
TRANSFORMATION thru deterorlatlop OF
equipment: Justify the growing strike
of engineers, firemen and other skill
ed workers against defective equip
ment and the presence OF armed
guards. and finally call upon the gov
ernment 10 settle the strike TO avoid
complete decentralization OF nanspor-
tation.
Cleveland. Aug. 12.-"Big Four"
railroad brotherhoods mixed IN the
mine strike today.
President John L. Lewis of the
United Mine Workers was called ito
task" by the big railroad brother
hoods for alleged attacks by his men
IN coal trains manned by brotherhood
members. a big four official intimated.
Demand that Lewis take lmme--
diate action to prevent repetition Of
these unwarranted attacks" on trains
carving non-union coal was said to
have been made by the brotherhood
Of Locomotive Firemen and Engine
men and the Brotherhood Of Locomo-
tive Engineers.
The alleged attacks protested by
the "big four" officials occurred at
Ohio. on the Kanawha and Michigan
Gloucester. Jacksonville and Trlmle,
Road at point along the Illinois Cen
traI in Kentucky and Illinois.
". G. Lee, president Of the train