The sun., 1919-10-23
FINISH FIGHT IS
THREAT BEFORE
ROADS RETURN
Firemen's Chief Serves No
tice Men Are Determined
to Get Increase,
NEW RAIL CRISIS NEAR
Board Of Wages Told Issue
Must Be Met-Will Affect =
All Employees.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-Railroad en-
ployees are prepared for a finish fight
with the Railroad Administration for
increased wages, time and half for
overtime and improved working con-
ditions before the Government surren-
ders the roads to private control. Un-
mistakable notice to this effect has
been served by Timothy Shea, chief of
the Brotherhood of Firemen, appear
ing before the board of railway wages
and working conditions.
| 'If our demands for a living wage
should not be met when the time ap-
proaches for turning back the rail-
roads to their private owners" Mr..
Shea said in testimony which became
public tonight, I'VE shall demand as
q condition precedent to the change
the realization Of the fundamental
rights Of labor, the living wage, the
eight hour day on all Federal con-
trolled roads, time and half for over
time and other principles to which the
Government pledged itself during the
war, which have now been made a
part of the treaty of peace and which
so far the Railroad Administration has
never fulfilled"
Mr.. Shea said tonight when his at
tentson was called to reports that rail-
road employees in the Pittsburg dis
trict were considering a sympathy
strike to aid the steel workers that
the railroad men would have to de-
eide the question Of such a strike for
7 themselves. The railroad brotherhood
chiefs, Mr.. Shea said. possessed no au-
thortty TO call any strike in aid of an
other body of workers.
Affects All Rail Workers.
While Mr.. Shea was appearing on be-
half of the fremen only, IL has been
recognized generally that wage increases
for any one class OF railroad employees
meant an advance for all to maintain
equality between the workers. Further
more, Mr.. Shea said he anticipated that
the failure of the Governments efforts
to reduce the cost OF living which he
frankly expected. would make necessary
advances in pay for all workers, and
predicted that by November the wage
board would be forced to consider "fur-
ther requests for general increases
from railroad employees
Thus it is the view here that the
Government, as operator of the rail
transportation system. will be face to
race In few weeks with virtually the
same labor crisis which arose during
the summer. AT that time President
wilson denied the request OF the shop
men for general increase in pay on
the ground that the vicious circle OF
rising wages and mounting prices had TO
come TO an end and that the country
should be given a fair chance at re-
construction after the war period"
How Director General Hines and his
assistants propose to meet the sltua-
ton has not been divulged. II is con-
sidered certain, however. that II any
wage advances are given President Will
son first will be consulted. Railroad
Administration officials declare the re-
lations with the union men have never
been 50 good as at present. and IN point
ing to the last report of the Labor
Department, showing a decrease OF 10
per cent. in living costs in August. inti-
mate that the impending crisis will be
solved in paFt by natural economic
forces plus Attorney4Seneral Palmer's
efforts TO take the imitation out of prices.
Showdown" Is Approaching.
There were indications to-day of an
approaching Showdown" between the
Railroad Administration and the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and
Enginemen. who asked increased wages
last summer. The report Of the wage
board on the demands has been sent TO
the Director General. who will meet
President w @. Lee and his commit
tee next Wednesday. The committee,
composed OF the sixteen general chair.
men OF districts and six officers Of the
Grand Lodge, will hold a preliminary
meeting here Tuesday
There IL no ultimAtum about our
meeting" President Lee said to-day,
''and It does not necessarily involve a
strike. although tho committee has been
given full power to take any steps neces-
sary or desirable"
The shopmen, like the trainmen. have
given their committee full power to call
a strike whenever II appears advisable
II has been understood that the officers
, would walt at least until December l to
see results OF the Governments fight on
high prices before taking action
Mr.. Sheas testimony before the Wage
Board revealed that the union men con-
slider President Wilson's restriction on
any general wage advances as only tenn
porary. inasmuch as existing rates OF
pay were declared to be entirely made
quate.
There is an increase due TO hremen
and hostlers and they have got to have
IT," Mr.. Shea told the board. 'Tf can
not get II out OF this. conference II may
be necessary TO use other means, but I
am going to get Il"
Hotel Imperial, B'way ,, asd ST Equipped for