STRIKE IN AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1922, Page 5

STRIKE IN AMERICA.

RAILWAY CRISIS DEVELOPS. •FEAR OF EXTENSION. PRESIDENT’S ACTION. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Aug. 6, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Aug. 5. Fearful of the complete paralysation of the railways as a result of a threat by other brotherhoods to join, the strike, President Harding has summoned the various strike leaders to Washington. The Presi- ■ dent may suggest that the seniority quesI tions, which are the main obstacles to a ; settlement, be submitted to the Railway ; Labor Board, both sides agreeing to abide j by its decision. The lowering of coal prices in the ceni tral districts gives hope that a settlement i may be reached at a conference between ; the operators and strikers at Cleveland on Monday. Meanwhile, Mr. H. C. Hoover I Minister of Commerce) has announced that the Government agencies have virtually eliminated profiteering in coal. A telegram from Chicago, Illinois, says the mine-operators rejected Mr. Lewis’ conference proposals. They announced their I willingness to enter into State negotiations, ! but refuse to consider an inter-State agreement.

A Cleveland despatch states that the big four brotherhoods of engineers, conductors, firemen and trainmen have telegraphed to President Harding stating thst unless the railway strike is settled soon they may be forced to join the strike for their own protection. The same unions are petitioning Congress, urging the abolition of the present Railway Labor Board and the establishment of a Federal Mediation Board.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Aug. G, 5.5 p.m. New York, August 4. To-night the four brotherhoods wired their legislative representatives requesting a conference between the union chiefs and the president in regard to the railway strike.

SENSATION IN A CAMP. WAS FOOD POISONED? Received Aug. 5, 5.5 p.m. New York, August 4. A Jersey City message states that 21 s'rike-breakers at a Pennsylvania railway camp have become violently ill, and it is believed their food was poisoned. PRESIDENT APPROACHED. LETTER FROM RAILWAYMEN. Nev/ Y'ork, August 4. The Long Island Railway Company has announced that it will not under any circumstances take back the strikers in a body. A Cleveland telegram says that Timothy Shea, vice-president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, has sent a lengthy message to President Harding. It is understood to contain a plan for the settlement of the shopmen’s strike, also an intimation that the Brotherhood would not be able to operate the trains much longer in face of defective equipment and irresponsible guards. THE MINES TROUBLE. EXCHANGE OF SHOTS. New York, August 4. According to a message from Staunton, Indiana, hostilities started when the State troops took control of the mines for State operation. The strikers fired from ambush, the troops returning the shots, which were exchanged over a wide area for over an hour. The lack of miners who are willing to work may result in the State importing labor.