New-York tribune., 1922-08-03
Shopmen PlaceOwn Inter-
probation on Proposals,
Insisting That Right to
Strike BE Not Abridged
VIII Obey Board
While They Work
Failure of Peace Efforts
VIII BE Chargeable TO
Lines, President Is Told

CHICAGO, Aug. 2 (By The Asso-
ciated Press) Full acceptance Of
the peace proposals submitted by
President Harding was voted to-
night by leaders Of the striking rail-
way shopmen who, however, gave
their own interpretations Of each Of
the three suggestions.
"We accept reluctantly, it is true,
but commit ourselves 10 carry out
the terms Of settlement in utmost
good faith and in aid Of the general
welfare" said the message Of ac-
ceptance which was sent to President
Harding tonight. "lf these pro-
posals fail TO bring about the results
which you desire, the responsibility
Of failure will not rest upon repre-
sentatives Of the organized en-
ployees."
The decision accepting the Prcsi-
dents surge itIons was reached after
the policy committee OF ninety men
Of the shop crafts organization had con-
sidered the proposal for two days.
After the executive committee had de-
cided 10 recommend acceptance the
policy committee followed with its
Recommendation, but demanded that
il be allowed the right TO give approval
10 the message Of acceptance and the
Interpretation Of the proposal sent TO
the President tonight.
Timothy Healy, president Of the
Fireman and Oilers Union, which is
also on strike. signed the shopmen's
acceptance OF the Presidents proposal,
saying his union would abide by the
suggestions and would follow the
shopmen."
Text of Shopmen's Reply
The shipments message TO the Pres
idcut said:
"Thc representatives Of the om-
ployees feel themselves under obliga-
tion 20 support every proper effort on
the part Of the government 20 bring
about or 20 preserve the uninterrupted
operation OF the transportation indus
try. The stubborn refusal of the rail-
way executives % establish a board Of
adjustment. ns contemplated by law, in
order to settle efficiently disputes over
rules and working conditions between
the carriers and their employees; the
continued refusal OF railways, repre-
senting over quarter OF the
mileage Of Glass railroads, 70
comply with the decisions OF the
Railroad Labor Board against the
practice Of contracting out work and
shops; the persistent campaign TO deny
to the railway employees just and rea-
souahle wages, 90 impose upon them un-
fair working conditions and 70 disin-
tegrate their organizations, all in
cumulative effect rendered service by
railway employees under the terms and
conditions 10 be effective July I, 1929,
intolcrable 20 over % per cent Of these
employees, who, therefore, voted 20 sus-
pend work.
at il now proposed that they return
10 work, temporarily accepting wages
and working conditions which they feel
10 be unjust. with reliance upon the
following program for redress Of griey-
anccs:
First. railway managers and
workmcn are 10 agree 20 recognize
the validity OF all decisions Of the
Railroad Labor Board and to faith
fully carry out such decisions as
contemplated by law
Right to Strike Defended
"Thc employees have always taken
the position that as long as they con-
tnued 10 render service they should
ahid. by the rules and working con.
d..ions and accept the wages agreed
upon by proper negotiation or deter
mined by the Labor Board after a
hearing Of a dispute upon any OF these
matters. They respectfully point out
again that violations OF law and re-
fusals 10 comply with decisions Of the
Labor Board have been exhibited only
by tho railroad managements, and II
has been universally admitted that the
employees, in exercising their right 20
suspend work under non-acceptance
conditions we're neither violating the
law nor the decisions OF the board.
1--WE understand that the recognition
Of the validity Of all decisions by the
Railroad Labor Board--as contem-
plated By the law-means, for example
that in tho. case Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad all employees will return 20
work under the wages and working
conditions established in the decisions
OF the Labor Board and that the cole
question of validity pending, is the
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