The Washington herald., 1922-07-23
-
CALLS IN SENATORS
President Conceals Pur.
pose of Conference
With Legislators.
CUMMINS DENIES
NEW LEGISLATION
Secy. Davis Confers With
Jewell-Road Heads
Defy President.

New conferences designed TO END
the strike Of 100000 railroad shop
men will be held shortly. it was in
dicated last night as Ben Hooper.
chairman of the Railroad Labor
Board left for Chicago after a
lengthy conference with President
Harding.
Hooper's departure from the capi-
tai nine hours after he arrived was
regarded as an indication that
President Harding and he had
agreed on a new course OF action
The principal barrier 70 peace is
the question of restoration OF SEMI
ority rights to the strikers. che
labor board chairman told Mr.. Hard
ing.
The strikers are ready to re-
turn to work at the new wage scale
ordered by the Railroad Labor
Board IL their seniority rights are
restored. Hooper told the President.
IL is understood.
Calls I'm Senators.
The strikers Willingness 20 re-
turn to the shops is predicated on
assurances from the labor board Of
rehearing on the wage reduction
order.
Mr.. Harding called In both Re
publican and Democratic leaders
from the Senate yesterday 20 assist
In solving the problem
Among those whom the President
conferred with were five members
of the Senate Interstate Commerce
Commission. who keep in closer
touch with the transportation prob
lem than any other men in Con-
gress- They were Senator Cum
minis Uowa). chairman: Senator
Kellogg CMinnesota). and Senator
Watson OndianaD. Republicans. and
Senator Underwood GAlabarnaD
Democratic leader. and Senator
Pomerene (ohio). Democrat
Whatever results NAV have been
produced by these conferences were
carefully concealed by those who
participated. The President. IL is
understood, requested the Senators
TO refrain from discussing what
went on at the conference. They
respected his wish and the utmost
secrecy prevailed.
No New LEGISLATION.
Senator Cummins also conferred
with representatives of the railroad
brotherhoods who brought to him
a petition of their organizations for
repeal of the labor clauses Of the
CumminsEsch law. He had an
other conference with Daniel Will
lard. president of the b & q.
Railroad. who outlined to him the
plans of the B. & o. for direct
! faf
men in Baltimore on Tuesday.
The mystery concerning the gov
ernment's plan grew when Senator
| Cummins fiatly denied reports that
some new legislative eNpedient
would be attempted. He said spe-
ciflcally no new legislation would
be attempted at this time.
Concerning the outlook for a set
tlement, Senator Cummins said:
Il am hopeful but not sanEuine."
Hooper Issues Statement.
Mr.. Hooper took luncheon with
| the President. and upon emerging
from the White House issued this
brief statement:
II have gone over the whole sit
uation very thoroughly with the
President, undertaking to give him
the history of the controversy in
every phase down to the present
time. i do not feel at liberty to
discuss details of the things talked
about"
While the White House confer
ence was in progress, the American
Federation OF Labor made public
kilograms sent by the labor legis-
lative representatives in Washing-
ton to B. NJ. Jewell, leader OF the
striking shopmen. and John l..
Lewis. head OF the mine workers.
The kilograms were signed by Pres
ident Gompers and others. They
assured Jewell and Lewis OF thA
hearty support and cooperation OF
workingmen in other lines OF In
dustry