U.S. LABOUR TROUBLES.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 7 August 1922, Page 5

U.S. LABOUR TROUBLES.

RAILWAY r MEN ASKED TO RETURN TO WORK. MR HARDING’S REQUEST. Press Assn. —By Tel.—Copyright. Washington, August 6. It ig reported that after Mr Jewell’s conference with President Harding, the latter asked the striking shopmen to return to work and leave thedecision concerning the restoration of seniority to the Railroad Labour Board. One southern railroad informed its striking employees that it was ready for a settlement, guaranteeing the reinstatement of seniority rights. COAL PRODUCTION. The Government reports on last week’s coal production show a slightly higher output. Three Ohio steel mills, owing to lack of coal, are laying off 2700 employees. STRIKERS’ FOOD POISONED NEW Y’ORK, August 4. A Jersey City message states that 21 strike breakers in Pennsylvania railway camp have been taken violently ill. It is believed that their food was poisoned. OTHER UNIONS MAY COME OUT.

NEW YORK, August 5. The Cleveland “Despatch” states that the Big Four Brotherhood—engineers, conductors, firemen and trainmen—have telegraphed to President Haiding that 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 Labour Board and the establishment of a Federal Alediation Board.

10-night the four brotherhoods wired their legislative representatives requesting a conference between the Union chiefs and the President, in regard to the railway strike. CONFERENCE SUMMONED. WASHINGTON, August 5. Fearful of a complete pamiysation of the railways as a result of the threat by the other brotherhoods to join the strike President Harding has summoned various strike leaders to Washington. The president may suggest that the seniority questions, which are the main obstacles to a settlement, should be submitted to the Railway Labour Board, both sides agreeing to abide by its decision. , The lowering of coal prices in central districts gives hope that a settlement may be reached at the conference between the operators and strikers at Cleveland on Monday. Meanwhile Mr Hoover announced that Government agencies have virtually eliminated profiteering in coal.

A telegram from Chicago, Illinois says that the mine operators rejectee Mr Lewis’s conference proposals. They announced their willingness to enter into State negotiations but refused to consider an inter-State agreement. CUSTOMS LAW SET ASIDE. MANILA, August 5. The Customs have granted an application for British ships to carry cargo, mail and passengers from Manila to southern ports during the interIsland trip. This is due to the American officers’ strike.