Laredo Weekly Times

New York, Aug. 1.—The heads of 148 railroads, threading all parts of the country, this afternoon resumed their conference at the Grand Central station, presumably to vote on acceptance or rejection of President Harding's proposal for settlement of the nation-wide rail strike. Those in close touch with the executives believed it was a foregone conclusion that they would refuse to accept Harding's suggestion that the men be allowed to return without impairing their seniority rights. It is declared the railroads believed such action would precipitate even a worse strike than now because the supervising forces which had shown ability to organize new forces would quit.

Question of Seniority.

New York, Aug. 1—President Harding's proposals for settlement of the nation-wide strike, made public today in connection with their consideration by the meeting of railroad heads, were three in number. The first sets forth that the roads and men should abide by the wage decision reached by the labor board. The second provides that all law-suits brought by either side in connection with the strike should be withdrawn and that disputes arising out of the walkout should be left with the labor board for settlement. The third proposal, the one calculated to provide the most discussion when the conference meets again this afternoon for a vote on acceptance or rejection, suggests that the strikers be taken back on the basis of the seniority which they enjoyed before the walkout.

Adjourned Without Action.

New York, Aug. 1—The conference of railroad presidents assembled at the Grand Central Terminal to discuss President Harding's proposals for the nation-wide rail strike adjourned until afternoon without taking action after Secretary of Commerce Hoover had presented the administration petition.

With Unimpaired Seniority.

Washington, Aug. 1—President Harding's proposal for ending the rail strike provides a reference to the big controversial point of seniority to the effect that all employees now on strike be returned to work at their former positions with their seniority and other rights unimpaired. This was revealed in the announcement giving the basis of the executive's settlement plan, as follows: One—The railway managers and workmen agree to recognize the validity of all decisions as contemplated by the law. Two—The carriers withdraw all law suits growing out of the strike and the railroad labor board decision which has been involved in the strike may be taken in exercise of recognized rights by either party to the railroad labor board for a rehearing. Three—All employees now on strike shall be returned to work at their former positions with seniority and other rights unimpaired. Representatives of the carriers and representatives of the organizations especially agree that there will not be discrimination by either party against employees who did or did not strike.

Placed Before Union Chiefs

Chicago, Aug. 1.—The proposition that the striking shop crafts settle their strike with the roads that are willing to agree with President Harding's proposals regardless of whether all the roads agree to them will be placed before the meeting of union chiefs in session here today.

Depends Upon Outcome,

Austin, Texas, Aug. 1.—Further movement of troops to Texas strike centers depends upon the outcome of the strike settlement move now under way, Governor Neff stated this morning. The governor said Adjutant General Barton would report on the strike situation at Amarillo on his return to Austin late today but that no action is contemplated until the outcome of today's conferences in Chicago and New York on strike settlement is known. Action on the request for more troops at Denison would be delayed, he said.