The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-08-10
PRESIDENT Gives
NEW PEACE PLAN
Return to Work, Is Harding'S
Plea to the Rail
Strikers.
PUTS DISPUTE UP TO BOARD
Reminds Workers and Employers That
Each Agreed to Abide by Decisions
of the Railroad Labor Body
Final Effort.


Washington, Aug S.-President
Harding asked the railroads and the
unions to end the shop strike and leave
the question Of seniority to the RAN
road labor board.
Striking workmen are asked TO re-
turn to work and the carriers are
asked to re-employ them, in joint tele-
grams sent to T. Dewitt Cuyler, chair
man of the rail executives, and b. Nj,
Jewell, director of the shop strike.
Both are reminded that, in acting on
the Presidents former unsuccessful
plan to end the strike, each agreed to
abide by decisions Of the railroad la
Dor board. They are now asked to let
this agency render a decision on the
only point of dispute, that of taking
the men back with all of their former
grades and privileges.
The President pointed out that both
parties to the dispute had, in effect.
given a solemn obligation to do just
what he Las asked them to, and he felt
confident they would comply with his
newest request,
May Reject Proposal.
After a five-hour consideration of
the proposal leaders OF the striking
shopmen indicated a rejection of the
executives plan. They issued a call
for the presence here on Wednesday,
August 8, Of the chief executives of
all shop crafts organizations, when
vote will be taken on the Presidents
latest proposals, at which time a for
NAL rejection is forecast.
Further, the shop craft leader called
for the presence of leaders on all rail
way labor organizations not now on
strike to meet here on Friday, August
II. At this conference a decision is
expected from the four brOtherhOods
and other railway unions on the ques-
tion Of whether they will continue to
operate what is classified as "defec-
tive railway equipment
The optimism in administration cir
Giles that this new move of Mr.. Hard
ings may end the strike is not reflect
ed in railroad or union circles. 1t was
pointed out by union officials that the
shopmen accepted the former proposal
OF the President for the specific reason
that it guaranteed to them the restora-
zion of seniority rights in full. Had
there been any doubt of this, it was
declared, the shopmen would have de-
INJURED to the last proposal, that on
seniority, which they accepted.
From the union viewpoint this ques-
ton is Of vital Importance, as, in the
event Of an adverse decision by the
railroad labor board, all of the other
unions would naturally be affected by
it. In addition to this, it was declared
the railroad labor board more than a
year ago rendered a decision that in
the event of a strike being called in
the face of a labor board decision the
strikers would lose all of their former
rights. Either the labor board must
reverse itself on this point, it was said
or the shopmen will know in advance
they will not get what they have de-
manded.
Rail Executives Balky.
From the viewpoint of the railway
executives, it was learned in a high
quarter, the proposal is considered
roundabout way Of presenting the same
proposal they have just received. 1t
is not so much the question of senior
1ty restored by agreement as it is re-
employing all of the men now Oh
strike.
If this is done, the rail executives
declare, it will be necessary for them
TO discharge those employees who re-
NAMED at work and those which have
been taken on with promises of perma-
nent employment. If all of these men
are let out, it was declared, there
would be little necessity for the labor
board to pass upon the question of
seniority. With all of the former en-
ployees back on the job it would auto
matically adjust itself long before
decision could be reached.
SO far as the executives are CON
cerned, it was declared, the whole
thing still hinges upon whether they
are to dispose of what they term
'loyal employees" the very thing they
Informed the President they could not
do. Quite a few of the railroads. how
ever are quite willing and even anx-
ious to let bygones be bygones, the
President has been advised He is OPP
tlmistc that these will have enough
weight to swing the others into line.