The New York herald., 1922-07-01

80, 1922 the hearing of the above en-
titled matter was closed"
Last minute willingness of most of the
railroad officials attending the confer
ence 10 consent 70 the abolition of the
contract system of farming out repair
work. which system formed the prin-
cipaI bone of contention throughout the
recent negotiations. failed 10 accomplish
its end.
Proceedings were brought to an abrupt
halt almost at the outset, when Jewell
voiced in a message the last minute re-
fusal of the shop crafts to join the con-
ferees.
I'VE respectfully submit" JEWELS
note read, that the United States Rail
road Labor Board. being an administra-
tive arm Of the Government, can not take
upon itself the authority 10 extend its
own powers or to issue orders attempt
ing TO coerce men INTO non-aceeptaoie
employment. thus forcing them into in
voluntary servitude.
''If the telegram of the Railroad La
Dor Board OF June % summoning lead
ers of the shop crafts into conference
means that the board Is issuing TO the
shopmen an order TO the effect that the
situation remain in status quo unil
settlemen is reached, then the shopmen
regard II as void
Forthwith subpoenas were immedi-
ately issued for Jewell and Timothy j.
Healy, head of the Brotherhood of Fire
men and Oilers, who also had failed TO
appear. Healy later was brought into
the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms.
Try to Avoid Strike.
Railroad officials Immediately began
a concerted effort to save the proceed
ings by announcing. at the suggestion OF
Chairman Hooper, that a majority of
their membership as represented at the
conference was willing to abolish the
contract system of farming out shop
work and thereby remove what has been
considered the chief obstacle to success
full meditation of the strike question.
Chairman Hooper then turned to the
railroad executives seated in a group at
his left and said: ~
II want all of you men who rose from
the ranks in your chosen profession to
stand up
The executives rose to man.
II know personally that most of you
came up from the ranks" Chairman
Hooper continued. land I believe that
you want to do the fair thing to your
fellow men,
'I know that this contract system is
Il Tcllc OF tne Gays DeIOre the war ana
before such thing as railway labor
board was thought Of
This board is not vlndictive, but I,
personally, would like 20 see this prac-
tice stopped II strike was called the
first road to complain would be the road
that was violating the decisions against
farming out labor and how could they
ask protection of the Federal Govern
menet unless they abided by the decisions
of the board, which, after all Is said and
done, remains a duly constituted Gov
ernment tribunal.
This is a Methodist experience meet
Ing. Let's all get together. I don't want
to insist on roll call, but why don't
you men abolish this system?'
Grinning sheepishly the executives
nodded their approval and were quietly
discussing the proposal among them
selves when Jacob Aronson, assistant
general counsel for the New York Cen
tral lines. jumped to his feet and asked
recognition.
Il want to convince you gentlemen
that the New York Central is ready to
do the right thing by its employees" Mr..
Aronson said. II represent also the
Michigan Central and the Big Four. all
OF whom were cited for violating the de-
cisions of the board in letting out repair
contracts.