July 10, 1963 - President Kennedy today averted, for the time being, a nationwide railroad strike that had been set for midnight. He announced that the railroads and the five train-operating unions had accepted his proposal that they put off a showdown until July 29. By then, the President will make recommendations to Congress to dispose of the issues in the case. The recommendations are expected to include a provision for arbitration of the dispute over the carriers’ plan to eliminate jobs they consider unnecessary. If Congress acts before the new deadline, there will be no strike. Mr. Kennedy said he had asked a six-man committee to review the issues in dispute and the positions of both sides. The subcommittee’s report and the President’s recommendations for legislation will go to Congress July 22. That will give the legislators a week to act before the new deadline.
