Evening star., 1922-08-23
RAIL CH|EFSPUT
! UP RIVAL PLANS
FORSETTLEMENT
New York Conference Ad-
journs After Two Hours
Discussion.
SITUATION SERIOUS,
SAYS HOWARD ELLIOTT
Eastern Roads Opposed to Atti-
tude of Concession on Prior
ity Issue.
BY the Associu ted Press.

BY the Associate ted Press.
NEW YORK, August 23.-Railway
executives, convened today at the
Yale Club to consider proposals for
settlement of the shopmen's strike
trades. acting as mediators, ad-
journed at 1880 o'clock until 2:30,
after a discussion lasting more than
two hours.
Although no official statement was
tain counter-proposals had been un-
der discussion. This was taken to
indicate that. should the executives
not accept the suggestions made by
the brotherhood chiefs. the door to
peace still would be left open.
The situation looks mighty Sc
rious" Howard Elliott of the North
ern Pacific said to colleague on
leaving the meeting.
Western chiefs want the strike
settled. and express Willingness TO
make any practical concession which
will relieve their roads of growing
shortage of usable rolling stock. with
a bumper crop nearly upon them, and
coal mining already being resumed
on a large scale.
LAS we have already indicated.
said the president of large road
which serves the upper Mississippi
valley state. terminating at Chicago
I'VE believed we could take back every
striker without having to release
single one of the new men now in our
shops.
Position ON Seniority.
THE seniority question. Well we
are not in a position to dictate. We
need our men, and are willing to take
them back with their old rights, II
it can be arranged to the satistac-
ton of those now in our employ.
Opposing this attitude. and with
forces more compactly mustered
were the heads of the powerful east
orn roads, led by L. F. Loree of the
Delaware and Hudson. w. w. At
terbury of the Pennsylvania. A. II
Smith of the New York Central
Frederick Underwood of the Erie and
E. ]. Pearson of the New Haven
Their roads are in excellent condi-
ton, their shops are we'll nfahned
they are near to the largest labor
markets. and they maintain they are
ready to back their pledges to stand
by the. loyal men who refused to
strike and the new men whom we
hired on promise to put them ahead
of strikers on the seniority roles.
The only eastern president about
whom this group expressed any un-
easiness was Daniel Willard, who. 1t
was said. might join the peace at
any price" delegation from the west
of which Hale Holden, president OF
the C. b. & O.. and S: NJ. FELTON, of
the Chicago, Great Western, were
pointed out as leaders.
Several developments injected a
spirit Of uncertainty into the ranks
of the executives and brought pre-
dictionS in some sources that a re-
alignment would set in as soon as
these new factors were recognized
at the conference.
Blow to "Die-Hards.''
The granting Of a 20 per cent increase
to about 5000 Steel Corporation en-
ployes was generally looked upon as a
sinister omen for the "die-hard' ele-
ment. 1t came twenty-four hours be-
fore this session. 1t was declared, as
the ultimate argument Of the powerful
steel and railroads, and who for weeks
are~known to have urged the rail ex-
ecutives to capitulate, was the view in
some quarters.
Another factor. the significance of
which there was much speculation. was
the expected arrival from Europe today.
on the same ship, of three eastern rail
presidents, who, it was believed. had
planned to remain abroad all summer.
rail labor organizations, both the big
five brotherhoods and the shop crafts.
were gathering at their New York
Headquarters to await the outcome of
the executives deliberations. 1t was
even predicted that the brotherhood
men would be called before the con-
ference to state in detail the basis upon
which they, as media DTS, will volunteer
to aid in ending, the strike.