The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-18
Head of Engineers Union OPP
timistic About Outcome.
Any Plan Presented Must Be
Referred to Both Sides.
TO COOPERATE WITH ROADS
Both Sides Hopeful of Settle-
ment, Says Watson.
Troublesome Seniority Issue Is
Discussed at Length. :,

New York, Aug. 1S.-Belief that no
definite agreement for settlement of
the shop crafts strike would be
reached today, was expressed by War
rem S. Stone, head of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, shortly
before 1 o'clock on leaving the con-
ference between brotherhood men and
executives.
Mr.. Stone said no definite agree-N
ment had been reached so far and he
believed the conference would have &c
be extended beyond today.
The labor leader professed himself
StiA optimistic about the outcome. Mr.
stone explained that whatever plan
was presented would have to be re-
ferred by both sides to their constitu-
ents. The other four failroad leaders
serving on the mediation committee of
the brotherhood followed Mr. Stone
out of the meeting and hurried to the
| hotel.
After having attended the session
for two hours, Mr.. Stone left for the
uptown hotel where shop crafts lead
ers are Quartered FOR conference. He
said he did not expect to return be-
fore o'clock.
The general impression prevailing
around the conference chamber at the
noon recess was that the conferees
had come down to cases and that some
definite program was under discussion.
In this connection were recalled dis
patches from Washington, quoting
Senator Watson of Indiana, as outlin-
| ing a proposal for settlement of the
| seniority question which he said he
| had CLEANED over the long distance
telephone. This proposal, which
| could not be confirmed here, was that
| loyal emplo~aS should head the
niority list with strikers second and
| new employees third--as many of the
rescruits to be retained as possible.
No Arrangements With Washington.
Robert s. Binkerd. assistant to De-
witt Cuyler. head of the Association or
1 Railway Executives, said no arrange
\ ments had been made for keeping in
| touch with Washington and that no
! effort had been made to obtain de-
tails of President Harding's speech to
| congress.
| No one at the conference was will
| ing to discuss Washington dispatches
stating that Senator Watson was ad-
vised by telephone from New York
| that both sides were hoperu1 of a-set-
tlement. The program ror settlement
! of the seniority question which the
senator said was under discussion here
was outlined in a New York newspa-
per this morning. Labor men before
conference was called asserted that
no such proposal had been made.
we are optimistic that 1t can be
done" said Mr.. Stone, and other labor
men re-echoed his words. No state
ment was forthcoming from repre-
sertatives of the railroads.
Uptown at their hotel headquarters,
| leaders of the striking shopmen pro-
! fessed confidence in the ability of the
running trades, who have assumed the
part of mediators, to bring about
! peace. Seniority was expected to oc-
cupy the chief attention of the con-
ference.
william H. Johnston. president OF
the International Association of Ma
| chinists. arrived from Washington this
morning and Joined other labor Iead-
/ T., Fgv- nj 20 fnwr ae4anf
| Johnston said:
VIII Cooperate With Roads.
1--WE are not organized TO antagon-
| ize the railroads; we stand ready at
| all times to cooperate with them Ws
| hope and believe that the present diff
! ficulfies can be adjusted amicably."
| At conference between Mr.. Jewen
and the mediation committee, which
preceded the session with executives
| it was understood a more definite pro-
/ posal for a settlement had beer
| worked out. but nothing concerning
1 its nature could be learned from of
| fetal sources.
"Officiais of the railroad shop
workers have been in constant touch
with the mediation committee of five
since the negotiations began yesteF-
day" said Mr.. Jewen, official spokes-
man for the labor forces. 1T is i'm
possible for me, however, to make any
! specific comment at this time"
| Neither Mr.. Ryan of the carmen nor
Mr.. Cradle. head at the maintenance
OF way men, would say what proposi-
| ton regarding senioriay had been
| placed before the executives but at Ia.
! Dor headquarters It was said unoffi-
cially that the program outlined by
| the Indiana senator represented the
wishes OF the strikers.
Hopeful of Settlement.
| Washington, Aug. 1S.-President
Harding was told today by Senator
Watson, Republican, Indiana, one OF
\ his advisers in the rail strike. that
| (Continued on PRge Ninel