The New York herald., 1922-06-19

ing William Fl. Johnston. machinists; j.
A. Franklin, boilermakers; ]. w. Kline.
blacksmiths; j. j. Hynes. sheet metal
workers: ]. p. Noonan. electrical work
ers Martin f. Ryan. car men; E. Il.
Grablev, maintenance of way employees
f. II. Fitzgerald, clerks Timothy Healy'
stationary firemen and oilers. and ID. w.
Holt, signal men.
Mr.. Lewis. the miners leader, was the
only one to discuss the probable effect OF
a wallzout by the railroad shopmen, sec
tion and signal men and clerks. de as
serted that railroad transportation would
begin to "slow down right away atter
the men quit. and trainmen would Se
affected, although none or the Big
Four trainmen brotherhoods directly
concerned in train movement was IN
cluded in the wallxout.
In addition he declared. "the domestic
and industrial troubles generally would
increase in progressive ratio" with the
walkout of the rail men coming on top
of the coal strike, which he said had
kent 6SO,OO0 men out OF the mines since
April /.
CHICAGO, June 1S.-The railroad sit
uation to-day is hopeful and py ran
many of the present difficulties VIII be
smoothed out Ben w. Hooper, chair
boz Board. declared in a statement to-
night reviewing the problems before
the board. Neither rates nor WAGES
are permanent, he said, because the
conditions on which they are based
are not permanent. His statement fol-
lows:
Peace Bird Audible.
"Amid all the mutterings OF dis
content and rumors of war on the rail-
roads the note Of the peace bird is
still quite audible TO me.
TT is claimed as one of the inalien-
able rights OF the citizen in this coun-
try to cuss any court, board or tribunal
for it's judgments and decisions. Boards
vested with jurisdiction OF labor dis
putes are always in line of fire.
"A few weeks ago a leading rail-
way periodical asserted that the Rail-
road Labor Board was completely
dominated by the wishes Of the labor
organizations.
Within the last few days the pub
lie has been informed that the board
is blind and deaf to everything ex-
cept the desire of the railroads. A
discriminating public will find the
truth at a point about half way be-
tween these two extremes.
'oThis whole railroad question would
be easy If it were not so human. It
is surrounded by a general mixup OF
folks wanting many different things.
THE railroad owners want good prof
its. The employees want high wages.
The public demands reasonable rates
and efficient service. The railroad man
agements really desire every one of
these things and their problem. there
fore, is a most difficult one. Difficult
as may seem the simultaneous accom-
pishment of all these conflicting re-
suits. the end will be attained II every
body will just keep cussin'.
I'm other words. out of all this agf-
tation. the American people finally will
learn the truth about the necessities
of our great transportation system. the
rights OF the employees and the inter-
ests of the public, and then this knowl-
edge will be followed by correct action.
Situation Is Hopeful.
"The present situation is hopeful.
There is no occasion for irnpatience
upon the part of anybody. Neither
rates nor wages are permanent because
the conditions upon which they are
based are not permanent
"It Is my prediction that long be-
fore fall many of the wrinkles will be
ironed out Of the railroad labor situa-
tion. There is reason to believe that
the railroads will remove one impede
rnent to good feeling on the part of
their employees by disseminating the
contract system. regardless Of their
convictions as to its legality.
This will go a long way toward the
restoration of cordial relations Only
yesterday the board received COM
rnunication from the Southern Pacific,
giving notice that the labor contracts
complained Of by its employees had
been done away with, and that the road
had no intention Of again resorting to
contracting of its labor.
There are reasons TO believe this
example win be speedily followed by
other railroads. 1t is the unanimous
Judgment of the Labor Board that it
should be. If the men are expected to
! respect the decisions Of the board the
management must do the same thing
A fair minded public will not stand
for anything else"