Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-07
RAIL LABOR PLANS
TOLD TO COOLIDGE
Abolition of U. S. Board Ad-
vocated by Workers
and Employers.

President Coolidge was advised to-
day that both the railroad companies
and their organized employees desire
the United States Railroad Labor
Board abolished This Information
was officially conveyed to the Pres1-
dent at the White House today by
Gen. w. w. Atterbury, president OF
the Pennsylvania system, and repre-
senting 90 of the largest carriers in
the country, and four delegates from
the railway brotherhoods.
From both sides of the railroad view
point. President Coolidge was frankly
informed that through his help
situation has been brought about
where the railroads and their en-
ployes can agree on new legislation
which would enable them to settle
their differences between themselves
without discomfort to the public.
Closeted for an Hour.
Donald r. Richberg, general coun-
sci for the combined railway brother
hoods, headed the labor delegation,
which was composed. in addition. of
w. \. Doak. president of the Broth
erhood of Railway Firemen; D. B.
Robertson, president of the Brother
hood of Railway Engineers, and Bert
NJ. Jewell. president of the Railroad
Shop Craft Unions. Gen. Atterbury,
however. was alone.
The railway union leaders were
closeted with the President for near
ly an hour. When they emerged from
the conference. Mr.. Richberg said that
they had informed Mr.. Coolidge that
both the railway unions and the COM
panies had agreed on bill which, if
adopted by Congress, would eliminate
the United States Railroad Labor
Board and set up in its place sectional
organizations created by the carriers
and the workers themselves.
Under this system. Mr.. Richberg eX-
planned, the companies and their en-
ployes would first consider between
themselves any differences that might
arise. Should agreement become i'm
possible. the controversy would then
be placed before a national board, pos
Siblv to be appointed by the President.
Both sides would be obligated TO re-
frain from the strike until that board
had reported on the controversial sub
ject to the President and permitted
the public, through their subsequent
publications in the newspapers, to
judge between the right and the
wrong party.
Would Obv1ate Strikes.
Mr. Richberg declared that he
earnestly believed such system
would almost make another big rail-
road strike impossible. Public opin-
ion, under this plan, would force the
aggressor to submit to the axiGencies
of justice. The plan is regarded as
being more or less in accord with the
so-called Massachusetts arbitration
plan, which the President is known
to favor.
Asserting to all that Mr.. Richberg
had said, the other three railway
union chiefs added that they had told
the President that his message to the
present Congress, in which he refer
red to the desire of the railway COM
panies and employees to henceforth set
tie their own disputes, had really
paved the way to fruition of this
plan. For this they extended their
sincere thanks, and declared that, al
though they could not foretell what
Congress might do, they believed the
plan would prove successful now.
Gen. Atterbury was with the Presi-
dent a few minutes. AS a matter of
fact, the brotherhood chiefs overstay-
ed their time and took the Is minutes
allotted to the representative of the
20 organized railroads that have lined
up solidly behind the proposed legis-
lation for virtual abolition of the Rail
way Labor Board. That Gen. After
bury had sufficient time to conduct his
business, however, is indicated by the
brief but pointed statement he gave
out to the newspaper men, which fol
lows:
Similar Proposition.
'I visited the President merely to
express by appreciation for his help
and consideration in bringing about
n situation where the railroads and
their employees could agree on a piece
of legislation which would enable
them to settle their differences be.
tween themselves without discomfort
! 10 the public
A somewhat similar proposition was
presented in Congress by the railway
, brotherhoods last Winter, but 1t failed
| of passage for want of approval by
! the railway executives. Having the
| unanimous support of both sides of
| the railroad industry now, however,
| it is felt that the proposed legisla-
ton will experience little difficulty in
passing through the present Congress
and then receiving the necessary sig
| nature of President Coolidge.