The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-29
b vIILAR
GEAIMS. FU RTHER
STEPS USELESS

AHk-t ~ 4sssSsI<S-.SSgS
tcoptinned from par~ 3;ons,
Willard admitted, and now that ef.
forts at agreement had failed the
company was naturally redoublinss
its efforts to recruit forces and re-
sumo normal operations.
Mr. willard was asked for a
more detailed statement in regard
to the conference last week in New
York. He said that he was glad to
discuss the matter. because 1t
seemed to him that IN some in
stances the public. had failed to
properly. interpret the statements
given out in New York following
the meeting.
He said that he wished to ex-
plain first of all that "the fifty
two railroads which continued
the negotiations had agreed fully
with the other lines in rejecting
the proposition which had been
submitted to the larger meeting
of the Association of Railroad
ferent language, the proposition
was the same as that which had
previously been presented, re-
guessing the reinstatement Of the
men on strike with seniority and
other rights unimpaired. a con-
siderable number of the execu-5
tives, however, while unwilling to
accept the proposition that had
been presented. We're hopeful
nevertheless, that some other pro-
position could be developed which
would lead to a settlement and
which they could in good con-
science accepts. This resulted in
the smaller committee being form
ed and the further conf erence with
the mediators-
Agreed to Restore Seniority.
AS a result of the renewed
conference. the minority group or
the railroads, so called, agreed to
take back into the service all of
the shop craft employees who had
not been guilty of proven acts of
violence, and to assign them in
positions OF the class they ordin-
arily held on June so at the same
terminal point where they were
tn en- employed and at the rate OF
wages fixed by the Labor Board.
1t was pointed out. however, that
owing to the large number OF new
men employed who would con-
tinue in the service some time
would be required to bring about
this arrangement in an orderly
manner. The railway presidents
agreed that they would either
position stated above by October
or on that date they would put
on pay such men as had not been
assigned to regular work. In other
words, the railroad ;companies did
not seek to avail themselves of
the situation TO curtail privileges
of any character gained by years
of service.
1T should be clearly understood,
however, that at no time did any of
the railroad presidents agree, nor
would they agree, to make any set
Element that would in any sense adj
.versely affect the rights or priv
ileges of old who did not COON a
strike or the new men hired since.
the strike began. TWAS also agreed
that the men on a strike. taken back
would retain their pension, pass
and other privileges gained by
their term OF service.
This general scheme was sub
mitted to fifty-two executives of the
minority group and was accepted.
When submitted to Mr.. Jewell and
his associates, it was rejected,
1.-THE shop craft leaders were I'M
willing to have their men return to
work been under such condition un
ISIS the companies would agree that,
on the very day OF their return they
would be put back on the roster as
of June 80 and ahead, where neces-
sary, of men who had remained in
the service.
This the railroad executives
could not agree to. 1t must be APP
parent therefore that no comprom-
Use settlement of the situation is
possible unless the railroad execu-
tives are willing to accept the pol
icy that a promise or contract is
something to be broken and not
something to be kept The railroads
must keep their obligations to get
the men who are in their employ,
and there is clearly now but one
course left, namely to continue to
build up their force as rapidly and
effectively as possible, and this the
Baltimore & Ohio is proceeding to
do"