Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-21

washington, AUG. = - ~ DiulN
growing deterioration in railroad
equipment, threater'nG paralysis of
TRANSPORTATION. is causing leading rail
executives who want a fight to the
finish" IN the shopmen'S strike to adopt
ing to Information TO government Off
a more conciliatory attitude, accord
cials.
This is one of the main facts under
living the hope in administration cir
cles that a settlement of the strike
soon will be reached.
Rail executives realize that to win
the present controversy they must
ward off a serious breakdown in trans
portation. A big blow was dealt to
their efforts to keep the crippled sys-
TENS in operation with strike break
ers. when the Interstate Commerce
Commission, with the approval Of
President Harding announced that the
laws by which agents Of the commits
sion can order defective equipment out
of use would be strictly enforced.
There is no appeal from orders Of the
commission banning the use of such
equiprIent.
The report, which the Interstate
Commerce Commission, soon will make
to Congress in response TO. a senate
resolution, will show that more than
half of the 10000 locomotives Of the
country are now defective due to the
strike.
This has caused the cancellation of
many trains, delays to others and the
~efusal of many Big Four Brother
hood members to man the engines.
Officials of the Interstate Commerce
Commission predict that the "progres-
tive deterioration" of equipment will
reach a critical point within two or
three weeks. unless a settlement OF
the strike is effected.
Administration leaders are not max
INC onv optimistic predictions regard
ing the New York negotiations to end
the strike. They are hopeful, but not
confident of a settlement.
New York, Aug. 2l.-Full confer
ence of railway executives renresent-
ing 1i8 roads will determine Wednes-
day upon the carriers answer to propo-
sails of "bie four" 'nediators to end
the shopcrafts strike.
Eastern rail executives met today
but the gathering was described as a
Irregular. weekly affair" with no bear
ing on the strike situation.
Spencer. n. c., Aug. 21.-North
Carolina state troops, encamped three
miles from here, were under orders
today to be ready on short notice to
take charge Of the Southern Railway
shoDS here.
The water main supplying the shops
was blown up last night, delaying sew
eraI main line trains Of the road.
Other outbreaks of violence occurred,
and state officials are watching the sit
uation closely. About 1900 state
troops recently were ordered to a camp
ius. outside the CITY by Governor Nor
rison.
Salisbury, y. c.. Aug. 2l.-Follow-
ing the blowing up Of water main IN
the stockade surrounding the South
ern Railway shops here, state guards
men encamped at the fair grounds
near Snencer were ready for instant
strike duty today.
The guards were ordered to sleep
on their arms last night, following
receipt Of news Of the explosion. The
water main blown up supplied parts
of the Southern shops where 100 men
are on strike.
A negro fireman barely escaped with
his life in the sudden food that fol-
lowed the explosion. Several persons
were slightly injured by flying debris.
No arrests have been made.