The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-08-08
Government In Final Call Asks That
Seniority Dispute Be Left To Board
Union Heads Summon Asso-
ciates to Pass on Latest
Proposal From Harding
Rail Heads Do Not Reply, But
Indicate a Collective Ans
wer Will be Framed
Union Chiefs Request Confer
ence of Railroad Labor
Organizations Friday

vi
Washington. Aug. 7.--(By the Asso-
ciated Press AS final call" from
the government for immediate settle
ment of the rail strike. President
Harding today communicated TO rail
executives and heads Of the striking
shop crafts unions proposals that the
ment be sent back to work, that the
managements take them back and
that adjustment Of the seniority issue
be left to the railroad labor board.
Though the President was said TO
consider this the only practical course
the government could take, union
spokesmen. indicating It's rejection.
summoned their associates to meet
here Wednesday to pass upon the pro-
posal, and further called TO Washing
ton for general conference Friday the
heads of all railroad labor organiza-
tions to consider methods OF co-opera.
ton that might make the strike more
effective.
The rail executives had made no
response to the White House tonight,
though press dispatches indicated that
they also would meet to frame a col.
lective answer.
B. NJ Jewell. president Of the rail-
way department OF the American FEEDER
alton OF Labor: w. II. Johnston. head
OF tho Machinists' Assn. and J. H.
Noonan, comprising a committee repre-
senting the striking unions. took the
presidents communication into con-
ference, later calling in II. f. Wills Of
the engineers; Paul stephens OF the
trainmen. and Arthur J. Lowell Of the
Flremen and Enginemen.
Ask co-operatton
The union chiefs. following the meet
Ing gave out a statement which was
taken as a foreshadowing their course
and copies Of a telegram TO W. J. Stone
chief of the engineers and to F. J.
Manion. president OF the Telegraphers
asking their cooperation in tho formu
lation OF program which would have
for its purpose. protection Of the pub
lie, preservation OF the railroad industry
and an honorable basis OF settlement"
"Messrs Noonan Johston and Jewell
have been in conference several hours
considering the proposal made by the
president today" the statmnt said. 1--WE
have requested the chief executives or
all the striking shop crafts unions adn
the stationary fremen and oilers TO
meet us here Wednesday OF this week
we have also requested that con-
ference Of all executivs OF railroad labor
organizations be held in Washington
Friday. August II.
"We have requested this conference
hecauss we recognize the railroad en-
ployes not now on strike will in defense
OF the travelling public and themselves.
will necessarily have to decline 70 op"r-
ate tho defective locomotives and cars
now in service.
It ls clear to any person that railroad
equipment Is growing more unsafe each
day and relief must be had through an
honorable settlement. Employees now
on strike are firm in their position and
will continue so as long as the Nssocla-
ton Of Railway executives declines 20
acca,t reasonable terms OF agreement"
In their massage to Mr.. Stone. the
,hree union officials emphasized their
conclusion that the government has au-
thoritv to settle the strike on the just.
fair and rea sonable basis proposed oy
the President, July 3lst."
NO Constructive Program
-7owever, II Is now apparent that M
ronst tructfve program Ia being proposed
,be telegram continued, and tnat unless
,be railroad employees can offer addi
,,o,al counsel and advice, the liv"S ana
GO fe+y OF employees and travelling pun
lie aireadv endangered by tho continued
usa ~ ds%ectiye railroad equipment. VIII
bA fn,oeriled to a greater extent We
urgently request that you as chairman
~ The railroad organization wire caNn
chief executive requesting him 70 al
tend conference In Washington fr'oaN'
August IL
NJ Y.veII declared that the thro"
man who received the presidents com
,,nnica+ion and attended the White
House conference would not be- "npow'
ar.d IN give a rejection or acceptance"
"a the proposals until heads OF all the
seven striking unions had arrievd, hut
that no body ought to get the Idea the
shon federation will accept"
~. +el.rrar to Mr. Stone. which wa
rep.at.d In part to Mr.. Manion. also de
c,ared the striking unions had made
the only concessions
New York. Aug. ASSERTION that
nrssident Hardtngs now proposal FOR
ending the rail strike would Eeem TO
demand a complete surrender or m"
nosition of the railway presidents as
stated last Tuesday was made hy J.. I.
IoreA. chairman Of the Eastern prest-
dents conference at the close ~ an In
formal meeting Of rail heads late today.
Mr.. Ioree empha sized. however. that
ne was expressing merely "a personal
opinion- and was not speaking to- the
conference. He also insisted that IN"
conference which preceded ~" state
rnent was purely informal and that M
decision had been reached by those who
attended II.