The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-27
RA|LROAOERS MAY
INSTITUTE STRIKE
NEARLY ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
MEN IN sopTHEAsTERN TER
RrToaY WOULD BE AFFECTED.
TAKING A POLL NOW
TRsINMEN AND CONDUCTORS ARE
HEADING THE PRESENT MOVE
-srtS4r-tsAAfB BETTER IA AGES
AND HOURS.

Within the next month the ques-
ton as to whether little less than
100. 600 railroad men go on strike
or not will be determined.
For several months the trainmsn
and conductors of all railroads liz
what is known as the southeastern
section or southeastern territory,
have been in conference with the
officials of the railroads. with the oo-
ject In View OF securing more wages
These conferences have been held
at various points. and have invariably
been against the trainmen and the
conductors
So far they claim they have been
unable to have the officials come TO
any sort of agreement.
Because of this they have felt AK
grieved sufficiently to determine 70
go on strikt AS is customary with
! railroad men. before they decide upon
anything of this sort they take poll.
/ The result of the poll determines &C
ton on the part of the men.
/ After having held number of con-
ferences. all OF which We're adverse
/ TO the interests OF the trainmen, IT was
determined to poll for strike
Taking PoIl Now.
/ This poll is now going on. 1t will
take at least month, according 10
a. man who knows the wG.Sings OF
| tho order II at the end of the poll
the settlement is favorable to a strike
| there VIII be one of the biggest
strikes the country ever knew.
There are nearly a hundred thou
sand carmen in this territory inter
ested in this movement. If they so
out. the railroads will be handicapped
! to n large extent.
They have stated to the men thai
they viii not lend themselves
to and movement toward ar
bitration. and that they will run
their roads TO suit themselves. They
| figure that the main dependencies
which they have. the order OF locomo-
| tive engineers, will not go out with
the trainmen and the conductors, and
| that they can run the trains just tire
same.
As a matter OF fact. the locomo-
tive engineers. in all their dealings
with the railroads have been accord
ed the privilege OF arbitration. This
| has headed off many strikes.
| 1t was said last night that the poll
of the trainmen and the conductors
| would be final, and that IL was not
certain. but that the engineers might
enter into the fight also.
AS 1t stands the situation is critical
The poll may call for strike. IL II
does, there win be one OF the biggest
tie-ups this section of the country
ever saw.
Want Better Wages.
The trainmen and conductors have
asked the companies for more wages
and more regulation in reference to
time allowances
Affecting about 100, 900 men. as II
win. the strike will mean widespread
idleness. The engineers will hardly
allow their fellow workmen to pro-
coed In their endeavors, without prof
fering assistance
If the railroads do not concede
something to the workmen. the pub
lie will be the sufferers. With nc
conductors Or trathmen the trains will
be without proper service for the
public.
Il hope" said a member Of the
Locomotive Engineers association las;
night, that the railroads Will ac-
iCcntinusd on Second Para