The Washington herald., 1922-08-17
DECISION PENDING
Rail Executives and Big
Four Chiefs Will Meet
In New York City.
HARDING'S LETTER
PLEASES UNIONS
Leaders Predict Tie-Up if
Inspection Laws Are
Enforced.

Prospects OF settlement of the ran
strike at todays conference in New
York improved TO such an extent yes
terday that President Harding prob
ably will postpone or abandon his
plan TO 20 to the Capitol and Law the
Industrial sitution before Congress.
Broad intimations Of a change IN
the Presidents program came both
from the White House and from re-
sponsiblo party spokesmen in Con-
gress following the departure Of the
railroad labor leaders for New York
to reopen negotiations with the rail-
road executives.
II was stated on the best authority
that the President had made no final
decision as to his plans. but that il
was virtually certain he would post
pone his appearance before Congress
at least until the brotherhood chiefs
and the executives had another op-
portunity Of reaching a basis OF settle
ment
Events Arouse Optimism.
Several developments wore -eSnon-
sible for the optimism with which
the outcome Of the New York con-
Terence is being awaited Outstane-
ing among these developments were;
The announcement by President
Harding. in his letter To Chairman
McChord. Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission. that the Federal laws
relating TO inspection OF rolling stock
and safety appliances must b. strictly
enforced. regardless Of the puhltc in
convenience which might ensue.
hR eir
at Cleveland between the miners ana
some of the bituninouS ope-str,s
which is expected to furnish the bs-
sis for complete agreement in the coal
fields.
Expect Tie-up I'm Tranie.
Railroad labor leaders were elated
over the Presidents letter 10 chair
man McChord. Their reports on
equipment led them TO believe thar
slrlct enforcement Of the laws bv
the Feoerai government soon wouII
bring about a general t,e-up of frs,-
nc They take the view that tba
railroads. confronted BY the rrosne-t
OF rigid enforcement OF the la,r D.,
the Interstate Commerce Co-nr,,e-
sion. are likely to assume a ,,,o,.
moderate attitude in their desli,,
win the brotherhoods at to6a,.s
meeting.
Inc virtual settlement Of the coal
strlke also was expected to rearr
IaNorablE on the railroad situation
ubllc clamor. especially from his
mani actufinG and business in
UeresN. Tor Goa supplies. il was
! pointed out would create a. stron-
pressure upon the executives and
/ miSht he the means OF forcirr
anandonment Of their hard boiled"
attitude concerning seniority.
Glad Coal strike Is Settled
Railroad labor officials declared
themselves pleased over the settle
ment Of the coal strike. The re-
sumption Of mining activities. they
declared. would agrravate The
plight OF the railroads. The fsr.
that the railroads had been able 10
make as good a showing as they
have since the shormen's strike
began was due largely to their be-
ing relieved Of the necessity ro-
handling the usual scasonahIa
traffic in coal. when the mines he
gin producing again. thov cx-
planned. the country would 500,
appreciate how unable the railroads
would he to handle the normal
amount of traffic.
The brotherhood heads left Wash
ington in conciliatory mood to al
tend the New York conference.
They declined TO state whether they
mad any .Iew proposition TO la,- he
fore the executives Appa-errlv
they were counting upon change
In attitude on the part OF the ex-
ecutiNes. Bert NJ. Jewell. chief of
the shop craft unions. remained N
Washington. hut probably viii
Join the other brotherhood heads in
New York today
Arizona Trains Moved.
Gov. Thomas +. Campbell. Of
Arizona, Informed President Hard
ing in telegram made public at
the White House Yesterday that
| all passenger trains heretofore
| abandoned have been moved from
Arizona points and the distress o.
Continued on Page Ttro.