The New York herald., 1922-07-22
Contend They Are Near Vic
tory and Will Fight Shop
men to the Finish.
CABINET NOT OPTIMISTIC
Reports Not Encouraging but
We Hope for Settlement
Says Member. !
Special Dispatch to THE New YonK HERALD.

SpcNht 0tSputtN ~ iAB VIEW 1ohh AihhAbbs
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., July FL.
Failure of the Railroad Labor Board
to settle the rail dispute, coupled with
the declaration of war to the finish
made by the executives of the Eastern
lines compelled President Harding to-
day to take a personal hand in the
situation with a view of using the fun
influence Of the Administration 10
bring the warning factions to terms,
The President summoned to WASH
ington for a conference Ben w. Hooper.
chairman of the Railroad Labor Board,
whose peace efforts in Chicago this
week were nullified because of the at
titude adopted by a certain element In
the ranks of the executives.
It was after the Cabinet meeting to-
day. at which every phase of the rail-
President decided to summon Chair
man Hooper, who is expected to give
the President a detailed account OF
what happened at Chicago.
/ Reports are far from encouraging
Cabinet member stated after leaving
the White House. I'VE all feel that
the prospects are not bright, although
we hope for a settlement"
War to Finish Promised.
The pessimism which was said to
pervade the Cabinet session. it is un-
derstood. was largely due to the re-
ports made earlier in the day to
/ the President by Senators Cummins
Qowa), Watson Qnd.) and Kellogg
(Minn.). who acquainted Mr.. Harding
with the viewpoint set forth by the
executives at their conference last
night This viewpoint was in effect a
declaration of war to the finish
Senator Cummins and his colleagues
told the President the Eastern rail-
roads were apparently determined TO
fight the shop crafts to the bitter end.
their belief being that they already
have virtually won the strike, and
that they VIII be able to declare VIC
tory in the near future.
1t became known at the same time
that the Western and Southern roads
were ready to begin negotiations with
the strikers and are willing to go to
the extent of conceding the principal
points now in issue--the restoration
of seniority and the pensions status
the men had before they quit work
They also are ready. It Is said. to sup
port the reopening Of the wage ques-
tion.
Senator Cummins told the President
the executives who were here 20 con-
fer with him stated that in place OF
the 100000 shopmen who won't ont
100000 men had been obtained. This
statement, however. is not borne out
by information In the hands of the
Government 1t is known that while
roads like the Pennsylvania and the
Baltimore and Ohio were not hit hard
there are Western. Southern and New
England roads where practically all
the men are out.
The Administration does not believe
the executives have anything like 240.-
900 men. the opinion being that the
number OF men actually taken on
since the walkout would not seriously
interfere with an agreement for the
restoration of the seniority rule.
Eastern Lines Confident.
However, the Eastern roads fcss
their strong position in the matter
and for this reason are standing pat.
whereas the Western and Southern
roads realize that gradual demorallza-
tlon will result from the strike and
that the sooner II Is ended the better
for them and for the country.
Another claim put forward by the
Eastern executives was that they arc
able to maintain 100 per cent. freight
service Here again the figures do not
sustain the contention, it Is said AS
an example OF tho extent TO which
freight and car service is falling Off Il
is only necessary 20 point to the ac-
ton OF the Administration in taking
measures for priority in car ALLEGATION
During June there were loaded in Lo-
gan county, w. Va. s32 900 cars OF
coal To date this month there have
been loaded only e,6es cars.
| The Administration feels that
I continuation OF strike on the raii-
roads will mean gradual demoralizs-
tion and to that extent nullify what
ever success attends the plans of the
Government to get the mines in op-
Grafton. The two questions. it is said.
are so closely related that a solution
of one is useless unless there Is
solution OF the other. This was about
the only conclusion reached 81 the
Cabinet session.
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