The Washington herald., 1922-08-06
MEETING Is SECRET
President Confers With
Strike Chiefs and Also s
With Big Four Men.
MAY CALL ROADS !
EXECUTIVES AGAIN
White House May Put
Seniority Up to Labor
Board.

Brotherhood and other ran union
,fficials last night precipitated an
Dminous crisis in the rail strike
when they presented a solid front
% the white House. demanding
# President Harding action against
,peration OF trains in poor repair
Chiefs of switchmen. enginemen.
iremen. trainmen and other
and unions have
wired President Harding asking
him to call a conference Of UNION
reads to take action toward avoid
ing further fatalities and endan-
yering OF lives of their men
through faulty equipment and use
,f armed guards on railroad prop
erty.
Accompanying the kilograms were
issued statements from the union
chiefs carrying the threat Of a
complete transportation tie-up un-
ess working conditions are made
safe.
the railroad operators have allowed
OF their lines TO lapse
INTO poor repair through use of
inefficient or inexperienced work
men since the shopmen's strike.
Armed guards, through intimlda-
lion and carelessness. they charged.
we're responsible for further hazards
10 brotherhood members
The brotherhood leaders were
every effort TO have the
President call the conference tae
nrst Of the week. probably Tues
day.
Statements from brotherhocd
headquarters indicated plainly no
will be accepted for
IL the White House
refuses to act
Eastern railroad executives last
night in the face Of this situation
ssued statements declaring they
had no fear of the brotherhoods
md other train service men join
ing the strike and added that ad-
iitional men were at work in shops.
They denied equipment in poor re-
Renewing his efforts 10 end the
all strike, President Harding yester-
Law held a series Of conferences with
OF the striking shop
men and of the brotherhoods which
rave interviewed on behalf Of the
strikers.
Important developments are ex-
expected TO result from the confer
.nces. probably by tomorrow. but no
nkling Of the Presidents plans came
.ither from the White House or from
he union leaders who conferred with
Tim. A strict injunction Of secrecy
vas placed upon the proceedings ny
he President and all participants OBJ
ierved /: faithfully. II was intimated
hat Mr.. Harding would have no an
Of any kind 20 make
,efore tomorrow.
Union Chiefs stand Pat.
The President FIRST saw Bert III.
Jewell. head Of the shopcraft unions.
". II. Johnston. president OF the In
Association Of Machinists.
and James P. Noonan. president OF
he Brotherhood Of Electrical Work
RS. These three men represented the
lnions actually involved in the strike.
They are understood to have Informed
Mr.. Harding that they stood pat on
heir declaration Of acceptance OF the
Presidents peace plan, which they
made in Chicago several days ago
II has been suggested upon good
authority for the past few days that
he President. as his next move in the
strike situation. would invite The
strikers to return to work and leave
he question of seniority to the rail-
road labor board. Whether he actu-
allv did put this proposal forward at
conference could not be
earned. but spokesmen for the strik-
RS were very emphatic in their dec
arations that they would never 60
back on such terms.
May Put It Up Go Board
Tney made Il plain that they would
rot return to work in advance OF any
iecision on the seniority question.
rhis gave rise TO some speculation
hat the President might ask the rail-
road board to reopen the seniority
question at once and render a decision
on the issue.
The President conferred also with
L. E. willis. assistant grand chief
4 the brotherhood OF Engineers;
'aul Stephenson. representing the
Of Railroad Trainmen.
md Arthur ]. Lowell, representing
he Brotherhood Of Firemcn and En-
yinemen. The three brotherhoods
which they represent are the ones
which telegraphed the President
urging him to renew his
'fforts to end the strike and warn
ng Of the danger Of unsafe in
.reasing bad order" rolling stock.
II is understood that Wills. Ste
henson and Lowell furnished the
President with more details concern
he condition of locomotives and
Informed him that the plight OF the
ailroads In respect 20 rolling stock
nut OF repair. as q result OF the shop
mems strike. was much worse than
he executives were willing 10 admit
May Summon Executives.
Reports were In circulation that
dr. Harding would again summon
representatives OF the rail executives
md renew his efforts to bring them
o terms.
Reports reaching me indicate
hat the number OF bad order loco
motives IL Increasing more rspidfy
han the fifty Inspectors OF the Bu-
eau of Locomotive inspection OF the.
Commerce commisslon
an keep up with" said Senator
,ummins. I believe all facts re-
Corfs~se6 on Poos Toe.