The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-08-17

New York, Aug, II by the Associat'
cd Pressl Five brotherhood leaders
representing the running trades OF
American railroads to-day went into
formal conference to draw up a pro-
gram for ending of the nationwide
shopmen's strike to be submitted this
afternoon to executives representing
railroads.
The formal conference, which had
been preceded by more informal as
semblv, was called upon arrival Of
Warren S. Stone, president Of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
What would be proposed by the broth
erhood chiefs, assuming the role OF
mediators, could not be learned from
them when they closed the doors be-
hind them
Representatives of the stationary
trades, who were watching closely the
Brotherhood conference, indicated that
they expected the running crafts not to
suggest any compromise on the matter
Of seniority rights, which has proved
the big stumbling block in peace efforts
thus far.
While the strike leaders would not
permit themselves to be quoted, they
indicated that they did not expect the
brotherhoods TO suggest any patched
up compromise to the executives, nor
did they expect the brotherhoods to
promise to exert their influence to get
the shopmen to return if seniority
rights were not guaranteed strikers
The members of the committee are
Warren S. Stone of the engineers, L.
r. Sheppard of the conductors. w. n.
Doak, representing President Lee of
the trainmen; H. f. Robertson of the
iremen and E. c. Cushen Of the switch
men.
Representatives Of nine other unions
have arrived here to keep in touch with
the conference.
These unions include some of the
striking shop crafts, and their approval
will be asked of any plan the mediating
brotherhoods may agree upon with the
rail executives.
One possible plan by which the roads
might maintain their policy of reward
ing loyal and new employees with sen
iority preference over returning strik
ers. and stilI effect a compromise with
the shopcrafts. appeared in the mass
of unofficial discussion in railway cir
cles prior to the conference.
Such plan. which it was believed.
would be acceptable to the crafts. was
outlined by certain executives as fol-
lows:
l. That the railroads. instead Of be-
ing bound by the majority action OF
the Association of Railway Executives.
be permitted to take back a. many of
the strikers as needs of individual
roads dictated. This would assure jobs
to all the strikers on most Of the roads
in the country. particularly in the
southeast and throughout the west.
3 That the roads and unions agree
to recognize the seniority rights of 10y |
al employees who refused TO strike
5 That the seniority status Of re-
turning strikers and so-cslled new
men" be fixed through agreements be-
tween unions and msnagements Of in I
dividusi roads. governed partly by
standards Of efficiency and individual
employees in both classes.
T. That all pension rights be re-
stored 10 the pre-strike status.
No Official sponsor appeared for this
plan, however Members Of the execu-
tives' committee declined to discuss its
merits, and the Big -Four representa-
tives took a similar attitude.
When President Harding first pro-
posed restoration Of strikers With fun
seniority rights. the executives reject
ed the suggestion
When the president rut forward bis
second program for = rail peacs. be
suggested that the carriers take bsck
Their striking shopmen and let the rail
road lsbcr board decide THE matter ~
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