Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-09-07
Johnston Admits That Negotiations viii BE Renewed
Today-Conference To Be Held Not Far From
Washington Jewell Still Absent
: REACH AGREEMENT WITH liberal ROADS
"We VIII Be There When Daugherty Argues For a fer-
manent Injunction" He said Extreme Secrecy
Covers Every Move of Leaders
(Rv United i,ressl

Johnston. one Of the leaders Of the
100000 striking railroad shopmen, To-
dav admitted that there was sub
stance" To the reports of renewed ne
qotiatious between strikers and rail-
road executives for peace. This con-
stituted the first definite ADMISSION
that peace talk is under way, since
lumors of such a development began
flying early this week.
Discussions were understood to be
scheduled for today between strike
leaders or their representatives and
2 group Of conciliatory railroad e%-
ecutives.
While il thus was made clear to-
dav that new peace move has been
initiated. so closely were labor chiefs
surrounding their plans with secrecy,
that not hint was given OF the terms
suggested as a basis for Settlement.
II was made clear that undue publ
city" was feared by both sides, as
likely to endanger success OF the
movement.
Labor leaders here said they had
no direct word from Chicago relative
to the meeting Of the policy commit
tee. But they assumed, they SAID,
that the meeting was called on order
Of Bert NJ. Jewell, head of the strlk-
ing shopmen. Jewell, whose where
abouts for some days have been
mystery. was reported TO be on his
way to Washington today.
Johnston refused 10 state whether
the conference would be held IN Bal
timore. where it was reported to be
under way yesterday, but ne admit
ted the meeting would be held not
far from Washington.
Every move connected with the pro
posed meeting is being guarded with
extreme secrecy for fear that "un-
due publicity" would cause the con-
ference 10 collapse, Johnston stated.
Bert VI. Jewell. head of the strik-
crs. probably will not attend the con-
ference, it was stated. Other leaders
Of the striking shop crafts will be
present however, and among them
may be Johnston.
The basis for negotiations was not
revealed, although the general I'M
preston was that the strikers lead
crs had agreed 10 discuss settlement
with the liberal roads, abandoning
their stand for settlement on a ma
tional basis only. Daniel Willard,
president Of the Baltimore and Ohio
who has followed a conciliatory policy
throughout the strike, was under
stood to be acting as spokesman for
"A group Of executives willing to take
the strikers back with practically un-
impaired seniority rights.
Observers here however were in
clined to doubt that the strikers would
call that Jewell announced some
weeks ago that he would not settle
sactionally as he believed it would
constitute abandonment Of many
thousands of strikers.
Some of the eastern lines have built
up excellent shopmen's organizations
and these, known as hard boiled"
would not come into agreement that
called for concessions. Therefore the
union leaders, in making sectional
settlements, would be giving way on
fundamental point, it was pointed
out.
Johnston today admitted he had
been out Of the city on confidential
business" and that he expected TO
leave again on another mission with
in 81 hours.
Johnson's statements closely fol-
lowed announcement in Chicago that
the policy committee Of the shop
crafts unions had been called to meet
tyere Monday
There is no intention on my part
or on the part Of any labor leaders
TO hide" the machnist's chief stated.
"All Of US simply feel that the situa-
tion at the present moment is 50
complicated and so full Of pOssibili-
ties that any public discussion of it
would be runlous to all efforts at
peace making.
Johnston likewise stated that both
he and Jewell viii accept Attorney
General Daugherty's challenge and
be present at Chicago when the Gov
ernment attempts 20 have its tempo
rary restraining injunction against
the strikers made permanent.
Daugherty, in lengthy statement
last night, charged that the govern
ment has inclusive proof Of an "un.
questioned conspiracy TO paralyZe
transportation among "a few mis-
guided labor leaders" and chal-
lenged the leaders Of the shop crafts
men TO appear in court next Mon
day where they will have "the fullest
opportunity Of free speech" to present
their side Of the cause to the public.
He declared that the strikers were
guilty Of attempting to tie up inter
state commerce and gain their ends
by Starving the community" Com
ment was also made by the Attorney
General on the difficulty of locating
these leaders to sreve summOnses on
them.
I'VE will be there when Daugherty
argues for a permanent injunction"
Johnston said. Jewell is now some
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