The New York herald., 1922-08-14

he changed at this time. We don't think
the law changes the fundamentals Of
railway employment"
In general questioning. Mr.. Sheppard
said he saw no significance IN the de-
parture Of the executives. They do not
want 10 do anything that would close
the door OF settlement he declared.
Although the executives refused out
right to accept the suggestion OF the
brotherhoods for an independent board
Of arbitration it was still hoped up 20
late hour that the big -Four" leaders,
realizing the gravity of the situation.
either would make another suggestion or
endeavor to get the shopmen's leaders 70
modify their stand.
The situation had definitely reached
critical point where the only alterna-
tves left TO the Administration was
either to attempt to bring further pres
sure on the shopmen's spokesmen or 70
wash its hands of the strike except IN
so far as 1t may be necessary to invoke
Congressional aid to protect the public
by whatever measures are deemed neces-
sary 10 meet the emergency.
For the moment at least everything
depends on the big Four" Their posi-
ton is the pivot Of the entire situation
IL there was any degree OF assurance
that they would abide by their contracts
inent TO dereat .conspiracies such as
occurred on the Santa re and elsewhere
through sympathetic action on the part
of non-strikers 1t Is probable that the
policy OF the Administration from now
on would be to let them fight II out.
Think They Can Break strike.
The executives before their departure
Vocbinotnn aeQnral the President
that they could break the shop crafts
strike and that they would resent any
further efforts to make them change the
position they have taken.
Here then was the position Tonight
critical enough, but not without hope
entirely:
First. the executives in the answer
made by r. Dewitt Cuyler. chairman
of the railroad executives to the Presi-
dents peace movement went at least 40
per cent. OF the way toward accept
ance. and acceptance of their answer
by the shopmen would mean, that so TO
90 per cent. of the strikers would be
taken care of. with their seniority rights
restored and work guaranteed. and the
jurisdiction Of the labor board accepted.
Second the shopmen, although their
answer Is held UP. have categorically
rejected the proposal of the President
demanding that they be Internationally
restored to their position with rights I'M
impaired, at the same time declaring
against the principle insisted on so
strongly by the Administration that
they should refer the seniority question
to the labor board and in the mean
time return to work.
Third. having assumed jurisdiction of
the shopmen's case. the Big Four and
affiliated unions made q proposal to
the President for mediation. but which
the railroad executives unanimously and
with every sign of finality turned down.
Unless some move is made either by
the President or by the brotherhood
leaders 10 get the shopmen to modify
their stand to the extent at least of
acceptance Of the proposal of the execu-
tlves made public to-dal the peace move
has become a shipwrec<.
Should this be the outcome Of the
lowering of the dove OF ace over the
White House the big qus ION then be-
comes what will the Big Four do. and
the distance between the country and
complete paralysis depends upon
whether leaders OF the brotherhoods at
tach sufficient importance to the issue
Of seniority to break their contracts and
throw the nation into what would be
unquestionably the greatest Industrial
upheavaI In its history.
1t is because of this that so much
Importance attached tonight to the Sc
cret conferences between the brother
hood chiefs.
The fact that the statements were
being withheld until late hour was
taken to indicate that a move Of SONS
kind was In contemplation. While tho
answer of the executives was not 100
per cent. acceptance of the Presidents
proposal. II was considered here a pro-
nounced peace move on their part and
much more favorable than the first re-
ports OF what had transpired on Friday !
at the meeting Of the executives in New
York.
An analysis or It shows that of the |
tota mileage represented by the Amer
lean Association of Railway Executives
151.S24 miles accepted the Presidents
proposal while representatives Of 57.222
miles drew up the minority report The
division came on the report drawn up
by the minority of 1872 to II. In other
words, 192 OF the executives completely
accepted the Presidents proposition,
while AZ of them accepted with modihca-
tions. They feel now that this con-
stItutes a proof of their good faith and
their endeavor TO go much more than
half way to settle the controversy.
Among the roads which took tho
minority view that the strikers would
he taken back where vacancies exis.
were all Of the New England roads. the
Boston and Maine; New Haven, Bangor
and Arostock Maine Central. Central
Vermont Atlantic Coast Line. Delaware
and Hudson. Central Railway OF New
Jersey Lackawanna. Lehigh VALLEY.
Long Island Louisville and Nashville.
Missouri Kansas and Texas. Missouri
Pacific. Pennsylvania, Nashville. Chat
tanooga and st. Louis Pere Marquette.
Richmond. Frederick and Potomac anl
Texas and Pacific.