Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-08-02
WHOLE COUNTRY
WATCHING COUNT
OF VOTE 0NsTR|KE
Its Result May Precipitate
Greatest Labor War In
History
DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY
STRIKE Is AN ARMY OF
100000 Men Earning Yearly
$4OO,OOO,OOO On ESQ.,
900 Miles Of Road

New York, Aug. 2.-Counting of the
strike vote of the 100000 railway train
men which may precipitate the greatest
labor war the country has ever known
will be completed August Z: Timothy
d. Shea, who has charge of the count,
announced today
The railroads affected by the count
today opened campaign of education
of the public, through newspaper ad-
vertisements putting forward their side
of the controversy,
The strike vote, if il results as all
predictions indicate, will authorize the
heads of the four great railroad broth
erhoods to call general strike if, in
their opinion, strike is necessary to.
gain for freight and yard men their
demand for an eight hour day and time
and half for overtime.
"This is the biggest labor movement
in history" Shea said today.
"It is the largest in number of men
involved and covers wider latitude Of
territory than amy other labor move
ment in history"
Charging that the railroads proposed
settlement of the strike controversy
either under the existing national arbi-
tration lawSor by reference to the inter
state commerce commission and that the
offer was refused by the employees, the
national conference committee of the
railways today started an advertising
campaign in support Of their position.
Copies of advertisements to be used
in various sections Of the country were
sent out by the committee. The ad,
addressed to the public, is headed:
"Railroad wages--shall they be de-
ternined by industrial warfare or fed
eral inquirys"
"The railroads are in the public SER
vice-your service" reads the ad copy
"Ths army Of employees is in the pub
lie service-your service.
"You pay for rail transportation
three billion dollars year and "A cents
out of every dollar from you goes to
the employees.
"a $l0O,OOO,0OO wage increase for
men in freight and yard service (lesa
than one.fifth Of the employes) is equal
to five per cent advance in all freight
rates.
"The managers Of the railroads are
trustees Of the public and have no right
TO place this burden on the cost of
transportation to you without clear
mandate from the public tribunal speak
ing for you"
Shown copies of the educational
ads" put out by the railroads, Shea
said they represented "a total series
of Misrepresentation
"They are totally misleading" said
Shea, "and since they are deliberately
meant to be so, they are bowling sue
cess. The expert figure jugglers of the
roads could take the salary lists and
strike most any old average they wish
ed. q.
"Even the federal government recog
nizes the eight hour day. The roada
should do likewise.
If man is compelled to work over
time, his employers should be penalized
for making him do it by granting time
and half pay.
"We realize the seriousness OF any
step we take. We are fully cognizant
of the direct and economic loss pos
sible strike might incur. That is why
we are going SO slowly. We have that
reputation. Our powerful strength has
been built up on the deserved slogan,
'the brotherhood seldom strikes; when
it does there's real reason.