The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-16
-Four Roads Sign Scale and
Others VIII Likely
Follow
TRANSFERS ORDERED TO
RETURN. TO THEIR WORK
Union Officers Had Little to Do With
Breaking of Strike, as Commit
tees Acted Without Consulta-
tIon-Both Sides Win.

Lon-bObn SlQSS WIN.
Chicago. July 15.-With agreements
reached between four railroads and their
employees, the great strike of the freight
handlers and teamsters that has par
alyzed the industries of Chicago for
week is apparently broken. A majority
of the strikers are expected to return
to work by tomorrow By Thursday
according to the present outlook, there
will be few evidences of the strike. Some
of the more radical unionists may refuse
to accept the terms accepted by repre-
sentative committees but apparently they
will be able to WELD but little influence
with the majority of the strikers. 1t is
possible however, that the radicals may
prevent the strike from being called off
at mass meeting of the freight handlers
called for tomorrow.
Upon the action taken at this meeting
will depend the attitude of the striking
teamsters. Their national president, Al
Young, ordered them back to work to-
morrow, but If the freight handlers re-
fuse to declare the strike off officially,
some of the teamsters may refuse to
work 1t is conceded that their officers
exercise little absolute authority.
The four railroads that entered into
agreements with their men tonight were
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern,
the Chicago and Northwestern the Nick
ell Plate and the Illinois Central. OF the
thxya nd
Central accepted the proposition made
upon advice of the teamsters board of
arbitration. The Nickel Plate and Lake
Shore succeeded In getting their men
to sign the scale presented by the rail-
roads July l.
Consequently neither the freight hand
lers nor the railroads claim victory. As
the employees of the Lake Shore were the
first to sign, however. the railroads are
expressing the greatest satisfaction over
the break in the strike.
Did Not Gain Recognition.
The freight handlers return to work
without having gained recognition of
their union. time and half for over
time, or The adjustment of the probation
period On the other hand the freight
handlers have obtained increases in pay,
the smallest one being 25 cents a day,
procured by the truckers.
While the signing of the agreements
breaks the strike, 1t does not end 1T. 1t
is still in progress as far as twenty OF
the twenty-four railroads in the city are
concerned. President Curran and few
of his supporters are still unreconcsled,
and state they will not recognize any OF
the agreements.
The fact remains, however, that the
majority of the freight handlers are
seemingly tired of the strike and eager
to return to work 1t is probable they
will be given All opportunity TO 90 80 to-
morrow, Tor all the railroads are ready
end even eager to sign agreements SINH
lar to that obtained by the employees OF
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
This agreement was signed tonight after
all hope of break IN the strike appeared
to be at an end. All of the roads had re-
fused to accept the demands originally
made by the committee of the strikers,
which had waited upon them in the
morning Busjness men were meeting and
determining to deliver freight under po-
lice protection tomorrow. Mayor Harri-
son had called a conference of railroad
officials, strikers and labor leaders for
tomorrow morning. Manufacturers and
merchants were declaring that unless the
police could afford protection to drivers
the militia should be ordered out, and
the strike situation appeared to be more
serious tt an it ever had been before.
Several Conferences.
While affairs were thus apparently
reaching a crisis, several of the commit
tees appointed by the Freight Handlers
had accepted invitations issued by some
of the railroad managers to return and
enter into a discussion of the strike
situation. In six of the offices, those
of the Michigan Central, Wisconsin Cen
,troI I.q1
and Michigan Southern. the Nickel Plate
and the Chicago and Northwestern, the
conferences were in progress.
The executive committee of the Freight
Handlers Union was meeting with
committee of officials of the Treamsters'
Union who were attempting to compel
tn en- to settle the strike. Chairman Job
of the state board of arbitration was still,
endeavoring to bring the railroad Of
ficials and the strikers together.
Then came the unexpected announce
ment that a committee of the employees
of the Lake Shore and Michigan South
ern Railroad had accepted the scale Of
fered by the ra1lroaus on Juiy l. Inc
scale follows:
Receiving clerk, first three months,
s55 q month: thereafter, $50 a month
check and transfer Clerks first three
months. s55 a month; thereafter, $50
month. .-o
Delivery clerks, HTSt tHTte iioHtho, @oV
month: thereafter. $55 month.
showers first three months, 1s cents an
hour; thereafter. 1871 cents an hour.
Callers first three months. II cents an
hour: thereafter, IS cents an hour.
Truckers. first three months, 10 cents
an hour; thereafter, IT cents an hour.
Ten hours to constitute days work;
straight pay for overtime, Sundays and
holidays.
Refused to Believe News.
For time the officers of the freight
handlers refused to believe the news of
the signing of the agreement with the
Lake Shore The committee which signed
the agreement failed to report back to
union headquarters. Gradually, however,
the strikers became convinced of the
authenticity of the report.
A meeting of the men gathered in the
vicinity of the hall was Immediately
called by President Curran. He addressed
the men and practically told them that
the strike was lost He informed them
that the teamsters' officers had ordered
their men back to work and announced
that they were responsible for the fail