The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-26
CLERKS OF c. { D.
VOTE on QUESTION
Of CALLING STRIKE
Organizers Here Say Entire
System Will be
Affected
CLAIM VERDICT WILL
BE IN AFFIRMATIVE
General Manager Johnson.
However, Does Not Antici-
pate Amy Trouble---Many
Richmonders Members

All members of the brotherhood of
Railway Clerks working in the offices
Of the Chesa peake and Ohio railway
between Newport News and Chicago
are voting this week on the question
of calling a strike over the entire sys-
tenn.
That the clerks will vote to strike is
the opinion of officials of the brother
hood who have been in Richmond for
several days organizing the clerks EN-
pioyed here. Fifteen hundred ballots
have been sent out and although, &C
cording to ID. II. Hendershott, Of the
general board of adjustment, not more
than half Of these have had time to
reach their destination. replies are al
ready coming In and the overwhelm-
ing ajority of those received favor
calling a strike until such time as the
management of the railway system
consents TO adjust the matter at issue.
Want Recog
The issue in the refusal Of General
Manager johnson to treat with a COM
mittee Of the association for the set
tlement OF number of grievances
allied to his attention by the officials,
said Mr. Hendershott last night
He win treat with US in a few days
or there will be strike" said Charles
NJ Owens, of Cincinnati, an organizer
of the Clerks' union, who, with ]. F.
Riley and Mr. Hendershott, has been
in Richmond for more than week.
General Manager Johnson, when
seen last night. said that the road does
not expect trouble with its clerks.
I'VE refused to treat with Mr.. Riley"
said Mr. johnson. because he Is not
an ernploye of the Chesapeake and
Ohio. We anticipate no trouble
MIR. owerts declared that large
proportion Of the clerks would vote
for a strike and that II would be
called shortlF. unless the MANAGEMENT
ar the road sc Freed To meet a commit
tee and adjust 'he differences between
the clerks and the railroad.
No Local Organization.
1--WE, OF course. are willing To make
concessions" he said, but they must
do the same In Richmond about two
thirds of the clerks employed in the
local offices are members of the broth
erhood although the railroad does not
know ii. There is no local organiza
tom because knowledge on the part
Of the road ~ the names OF those be-
longing would mean their dismissal
An attempt was made some months
ago TO orga nize a union in Richmond
but il failed on that account. How
ever. large number of the men be
long To the national association, and
they will go out II a strike he called
They are members secretly but they
are members and will strike II tho
order comes
The clerks west Of Clifton Forge
are we'll organized. and they have
+ a fairly strong organization between
that city and Newport News.
J. r. Riley. local organizer. gave
the clerks side of the case 10 The
Virginian. THE general committee
has been. in Richmond for ten days.
he said "epdeavoring 40 adjust
grievances. but their efforts have beer
In vain. But two things remain tc
be done. The clerks must either
withdraw from the service of the
company or to admit that they do not
possess the manhood to resent their
injuries.
More Letters Pass.
/ "On August nth the general board
was formed in accordance with the
/ laws of the brotherhood of Railway
Clerks, practically all important
! points being represented thereon, and
on the forenoon OF that date a com
munication was sent to General Man
I ager Johnson. asking for a confer