The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-08-02
PEACE In
RAIL STRIKE BY
COMPROMISE
President II ardin 6
For1lulates Plan Of
Settlement z h a t
May Satisfy Shop
men

w washington, y uly Zo."Ti iOPoSdis Ii
for settling the railroad strike
drawn up by President Harding
and representing the conclusions
reached by him after the extended
conferences of the past 4S hours
with labor leaders and railway
executives, will be presented to
separate meetings of representa-
tives of the two groups next Tues
day-the railroad managers meet
ing in NewYork and the employee
envoys in Chicago.
Details Of the plan or plans were
still withheld tonight. but Presi-
dent Harding was said to feel that
prospects were bright for an early
settlement Of the controversy
which has threatened to retard Sc
riously the country's transporta-
ton system.
A major section in the presi-
dents settlement plan was under
stood to involve the seniority is
sue. which was said further to be
the only section in the plan to have
been identified as among the con-
troversial issues between the rail-
roads and their workmen.
Another section would concede
the right Of the strikers to re-
hearing before the railroad labor
board on the wage issue, and an
other would bind the railroads to
set up regional adjustment boards,
while a fourth would require aban-
donment by railroads OF contracts
with "outside" shops for repair
work.
President Harding was under
stood tc have suggested a COM
promise on the question Of senior
ity rights by which all men hired
since the strike would retain the
positions, the strikers regaining
their former privileges SO as to
rank just behind the men who
did not walk out July l.
The strikers under the plan
would return to work at the scales
set by the board in its decision of
July l, which precipitated the
strike, but without prejudice to
either side when the matter was
brought up for rehearing.
B. N. Jewell, president Of the
railway employees department of
the American Federation Of Labor,
and international officers OF the
railroad unions on strike left Wash
ington tonight for Chicago, an
nouncing that the general strike
committee of each union would
convene in that city Tuesday to
consider the presidents suggestions.
T. Dewitt Cuyler, chairman Of the
Association of Railway Executives
and principal spokesman Of the
arrangements. announced last
night that the executives would
meet in New York that day for
the same purpose.
It is expected that preliminary
conferences will be held by each
group, in the endeayor to formu-
late programs for consideration
by the general sessions.
The general strike committees Of
the union ordinarily consist of a
representative of each craft IN each
railroad system where the strike
is in effect.
It was understood that Secretary
Hoover might attend the railway
executives sessions at New York,
representing the administration,
and there was a possibility that
Secretary Davis might attend the
union gatherings. Mr.. Davis left
tonight for Mooseheart, Ill, near
Chicago.
Apparently the presidents pro-
posals will go before the railroad
employees with, the recommends
toin Of their international union
officers favoring acceptance. It ap-
peared improbable that the rail-
road executives would have the
same favorable recommendation
from their spokesmen whom the
president has seen.
Although the union leadership
was understood to be willing to
recommend calling Off the strike
on a basis which would still leave
their members working at the wage
reductions which caused the strike,
the seniority issue which has been
raised since the walkout has been
growing more formidable each day.
Railroads which have been more
or less successful in building up
new shop working forces have IN
dicated increasing strenuous obJec-
ton to proposals that any Of the
new men be displaced by returning
strikers. A large number Of lines.
however, including most of those
in the southeast and northwest
sections Of the country, have ia-
dicated their willingness to take
back all OF their men in. the exact
positions which they held at the
time of striking.
The union officials. on the other
hand, appear disposed to resist to
the end any proposals TO settle on
such roads as will take the set
itement and leave their men still
out on the systems which are max
ing the efforts TO build up new
forces.
President Harding was said to
be convinced, after watching the
. attempt of the Baltimore & Ohio
TO make such separate settle
ment. this plan could not be fol-
lowed. There We're indications to-
day that the union chiefs between
the several White House confer
ences. considered proposals for a
! separate Baltimore & Ohio settle