The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-29
SHOPMEu'S
Continued from page ~

rcusicians and stage hands who are
en- strike in New York.
The members OF the national COM
n:ittee representing the railway shop
rien were before the executive council
beth in their capacity of shopmen's
representatives and as heads OF or
kanizations which are supporting the
Elumb plan.
MAY HAVE STATEMENT TO-DAY
President Gompers sent out word
from the codncti room that no state
! rnent regarding its sessions would be
made tonight. carefully prepared
statement is expected to be given out
covering the important matters con-
s.dered when the council has pro-
cceded further with It's deliberations.
The letter sent by President Jewell
and the other officials OF the shop
mems organizations to the men urg-
ing them not to strike for ninety days
is dated August 2. but will be held up
until the arrival of President Com
Iers today. The letter said in part
The adjustment in wages that has
been offered to the federated shop
trades, II accepted. will establish in
creases that are practically equivalent
to the increases granted any other
class OF railroad employees This
>i'"NN NV NC IcoN SaSht Va Ar NOuSiACt~
ing the situation we now face. It Is
conceivable that men may decide to
Go thing in manner that will les
sen their chances of ultimate sue
CESS. but common sense dictates that
2. per cent OF the railroad employees
should not undertake to fight the
battle for the Is per cent who have
asked for general wage increases. and
Tho have been denied, as we have.
any further general increases. unless
the effort to increase the purchasing
value Of the dollar by reducing living
costs proves unsuccessful.
POWER 10 ACT
TN view OF the facts ~ above stated
your executive officers and national
agreement committee recommend thai
the question OF suspcnding work te left
in our hands. with the understanding
that no strike order will be issued -un
less such action becomes absolutely
necessary to meet the condition arising
action with other railroad organise
tIons for a general wage increase.
The above recommendation 10 made
after mature elaboration and con-
stderation OF all the elements entering
into this controversy. 1t is our hon.
est Judgment that q fatal mistake
would be made by our memb ers 70 a.
| the railroads at this time. when the
pt resident is evidently doing all possible
TO reduce the high cost OF living.
"It should be understood. however,
| that II the government fails to effect
a substantial reduction In the cost OF
| living within reasonable time we re-
serve the right to put the strike vote
! into effect
| In the letter making a second appeal
| tn Judge Cary for a conference. the
+. committee representing the employees
| Of the United States, Steel corporation
| says In part:
I'VE have received your answer for
| A request for a conference on behalf OF
| the employees Of your corporation and
we understand the nrst paragraph OF
! -FOUR answer to be an absolute refusal
| on the part Of your corporation to con-
cede to your employees the right Of col
lective barr ming.
| You question the authority Of our
| committee to represent the majority Of
your employees. The only way by
| which we can prove our authority IL
| to put the strike vote into effect and
we sincerely hope you Vim not force Z
| strike TO prove this point
! I'VE read with great care your state
ment a. to the interest the corporation