The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-08-11
union REPLY
TO HARDING'S
PLAN DELAYED
Chiefs of II Unions Meeting
In Washington Do Not Ex-
pect to Formulate Answer
Before Saturday.
REJECTION IS LIKELY
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Aug 11-Heads of
IL railroad labor organizations inclUd-
ing those on strike and the larger op-
Grating brotherhoods considered Presi-
dent Harding's latest strike settlement
proposal for more than two hours to-
day without reaching any decision as
TO what responses should be made by
the men on strike.
Warren F. Stone, grand chief of the
Brotherhood of Engineers, who pre-
sided at the session which adjourned
shortly after noon, said another meet
ing would be held later in the day, but
that probably no answer would be
drawn up before tomorrow.
Officials of the seven striking rail
unions, through B. NJ. Jewell, the Ia'l
chairman, said the session would be
a long one.
They had nothing to add to their
previously given indications that the
shop unions intended to reject the
presidents proposal which provides
far leaving the seniority status for
adjustment by the labor board aftee
they return to work. President Hard
ing and his cabinet went into session
exactly the same time the union lead
ers assembled and the rail strike was
foremost in both discussions.
Attorney General Daugherty before
leaving the department of justice for
the White House sent kilograms to
the representatives of the department
| in Arizona, New Mexico and California,
asking for reports of the walkout OF
the Big Four brotherhood members of
| the Santa Fe in the western territory
| He also carried press dispatches OF
| the walkoHt into the cabinet meeting
and other members of the presidents
official family went into the session
of the strike.
| Extension Not Expected.
| 1t has been repeated emphasized by
| B. NJ. Jewell, spokesman for the allied
shop unions that the general confer
ence was desired in an advisory way
and that extention of the strike among
other railroad unions was not expected
Ito result from today's meeting Since
| the conference was called, however
members of some other rail unions al
various points have refused, with the
sanction of the union heads, to work
under conditions prevailing due to the
shopmen's strike. Protest walkouts
against the use of troops and armed
guards and also against alleged de
! terioration of rolling stock resulted
and it appeared certain that this phase
! of the railroad problem would be giver
much attention by the general confer
| ence when it went into session.
Delay Is Expected
| Early action by the shopmen toward
framing their answer to Mr. Harding's
proposal that the seniority dispute be
referred to railroad labor board fol
settlement was not expected. Mr. Jew
lie anticipated that it would take {
day or more for the general conference
to go over the ground with the shop
men. It seemed likely that the mems
answer would not reach the presiden-
before next week
4 Predict Rejection
Since the presidents new and fina
suggestion was made known shopcraf
leaders here have freely predicted tina
it would be rejected although declar
ing themselves without power to com
nit the unions on such a proposition
The executive heads of the organiza
tion in the shop crafts federation whC
have power to act have been engaged
In conferences here preparatory to tht
general gathering today and nothing
has been said to alter the impression
that rejection is a foregone conclusion
only the form of the answer to tn,
ipresident being in doubt
Meanwhile administration leader
have given no inkling as to the cours'
the government will follow if it again
faces rejection of its efforts to brinl
about voluntary termination of tn
strike. Congress will be in full session
next week, ready as the president de
sires to take up the problem shoul
the administration find it expedient t
seek emergency legislation, but ther
is nothing to indicate that definit
program has been or will be prepare
until the answers of both sides reacl
5 the White House.