New-York tribune., 1922-07-31
eace Report
Confirmed bv
Rail Leaders

A. 0. Wharton, labor member of the
United States Railroad Labor Board,
declared tonight. Mr.. Wharton, for
merly head OF the railway employees
department OF the American Fedora
ton of Labor, was one of the dissent
ing minority in the recent wage cut
decisions handed down by the Labor
Board.
"If either the railroad executives
meeting in New York Tuesday or the
shop crafts policy committee meet
( ing in Chicago should reject Mr. Hard
ing's peace proposal, the group that
rejects it will face full responsibility
for continuation Of the rail strike and
all that may result therefrom." Mr.
Wharton said "While | have not seen
Nh. Harding's suggestions, | have
enough confidence in the President of
the United Suates-and l believe the
public has--to feel that whatever plan
ne suggests viii be just and fair"
Bert II. Jewell, head of the six strih
ing shop craft unions, refused to com
ment on statements made by various
railway executives that the question of
the restoration of seniority rights to
the shopmen might prevent settle
ment. Other strike reacers, however,
emphatically declared that when the
men went back 10 work they would re-
gain their former status.
From the first the union leaders have
contended that the seniority question
had been dragged into the dispute by
the carriers purely as an argument is
sue to delay negotiations on the
original grievances--wages working
rules ard outside contracting by the
carriers. They have asserted that no
settlement is possible which does not
recognize and restore to the strikers
/ their former seniority privileges ana
pension rights
Desirable Jobs at Stake
On the seniority lists also the men
at the top have certain other rights
and privileges, the Oldest in length of
service being allowed to choose the
choicest runs or positions. Thus the
displacement of a single man from the
bottom to the top of the seniority list
might affect every other employee in
his division.
"Not only justice but the public in
torest demands that in any settle
ment Of the strike the seniority rights
Of all men who are now working
sfall be recognized" statement
issued by the Western railway presi-
/
to-day declares. "If those who have
struck against the decisions of the
United States Railway Labor Board
and tried TO interrupt transportation
are favored III any settlement that
may be made, the incentive of men to
stay at work in case of future strikes
| Will be destroyed and the difficulty of
/ maintaining transportation service in
/ creased. The new men in many cases
lett other employment with the un-
derstanding that if competent they
would be retained in their present
| positions"
l.. f. Loree, chairman of the Eastern
railway presidents conference, re-
Gently sent the following telegram to
United States Senators Calder and
Wadsworth, of New York; so far as
am advised, the President has made
no effort to inform himself as to the
position OF the more than 175,OOO shop
men now on railroad pay rolls" SINH
lar sentiments favoring the utmost
cohsideratlon to men who remained at
their Jobs and TO those hired since the
SIflke began were expressed by
Whitefoord R. Cole, president of tho
Nashville, Chattanooga G. St. Louis
Railway, and H, A. Worcester, vice
president of the Big Four,
Power of Government Questioned
r. s. Parsons, vice-president of Tho
Erie Railroad, sent out a telegram ad-
dressed to Chicago officials of the road
denouncing as untrue" reports that
the "strike on the Erie Railroad will
be settled by some governmental au-
tholity."
There is no strike settling mower
vested in any branch of the govern.
ment," the telegram said. "The Erie
Railroad will settle with it's EMPLOYEES
whenever they are ready, without any
outside interference, and that is the
only way"
The Illinois Manufacturers Associa.
tion to-day sent a circular to all its
members, urging that they telegraph
to President Harding, asking him NOT
to insist that the railroad presidents
recede from their position rega1 ding
seniority.
Manufacturers and employers gen.
orally in this locality are strongly op-
posed TO railroad executives yielding
on the question of seniority and we
hope that you will not insist on their
making this sacrifice" the message
said.