The Washington times., 1922-08-03

ton was not "as hopeless as It
would seem to appear"
The belief was uppermost In
White House quarters that the
question Of seniority-the rock upon
which all efforts at peaceful settle
ment OF the strike have been
shattered-wili ultimately find its
way to the labor board for decision
within a few weeks. Once the
board gets hold Of this troublesome
issue and renders a decision in 1t.
both sides have already committed
themselves to acceptance.
Just how the matter Is to be
projected before the tribunal at
Chicago was not apparent today.
But It was pointed out by Admin
istration officials that IL the strik-
ers would be denied, then. the
workers could bring their petition
before the board as a current dis
pute" arising while operations were
proceeding.
Cabinet To Decide Next Move.
President Harding will take no
drastic steps in the railroad strike
in advance Of tomorrow's Cabinet
meeting, It was stated officially
today. Tomorrow's Cabinet session
will be a meeting Of the general
staff" to devise tactical and strate-
gical plans for ending the walkout,
II was said by one member Of the
Cabinet.
There are marked differences OF
opinion among President Harding's
advisers as to the Governments next
step in the present walkout.
A few members of the Cabinet be.
lieve President should haul out the
legendary big stick" and use It on
the railroads for their summary re-
fusal of peace terms upon which the
strike could have been settled with.
out more ado. These same Cabinet
members privately express the con-
viction with some force that the
whole seniority issue Is false" 10
far as the roads are concerned, be-
cause, they say. few II any of the
roads have taken on experienced
men in such numbers as to make
them permanent additions to per
sonnel.
On the other hand, some members
of the Cabinet who have been In
touch with railroad executives, are
known to hold the view that for the
roads to restore seniority to the
strikers would be a severe blow to
the discipline which the roads have
to maintain In order to render ef.
ficient service.
Auto Mechanics Recruited.
Railway executives have advised
officials, also, that they have re.
cruited large numbers Of experienced
and expert workmen to take the
places of the strikers-principally on
Eastern roads like the Pennsylvania,
New York Central, Erie and others.
According to these executives, they
sent recruiting officers into the
automobile industry for experienced
men and obtained them in large
numbers, because the rates Of pay
were larger in the railroad industry
Many machinists and expert crafts.
men also have been recruited from
shipyards that are now running on
short time. II at all. because Of the
suspension of naval construction.
These men have been hired, &C.
cording to the executives, with the
promise of permanent work ana ad.
vancement to seniority positions.
To Rock No Boats"
President Harding planned today
to give considerable time to study
ing the two replies to his peace
program, accepted by the strikers
and turned down by the executives.
For the present, at least, the
Administration plans to proceed
slowly and carefully, as stated In
International News Service dis.
patches yesterday.
The keynote Of the Administra.
tion's policy was hit by one Off
cial, who, after emerging from
conference with the President, re.
piled to questioners:
mo definite steps have been de-
ctded upon yet. But you can rest
assured that no boats are going
to be rocked"
Make your vacation q real joy.