Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-09-05
OPERATE TRAINS
OR The US. WILL
Director General Hines Warns
Strikers in the West to
Go to Work.
ACCEPT OFFER, SAY CHIEFS
Union Leaders Urge Men to Agree to
the Wilson Plan Pending Re-
duction Of the High Cost
Of Living.

Washington, Aug. 30.-Director Cen
eral Hines served notice on public
officers, railroad officers, and employees
and citizens generally in California,
Arizona and Nevada" that the rail-
road administration would undertake
20 restore full railroad service In those
states on and after seven o'clock next
Saturday morning.
All striking employees who do not
return to work by that time will find
their places filed.
Any one who interferes with or Inn
pedes tho use of railroad property, Mr..
Hines said, would be dealt with for
having committed an ofense against
the United States.
This aston. coming after the an
pouncement by the four brotherhood
chiefs. that they would assist the rail-
road administration in operating the
lines, II the illegal strike was not ter
minated, Is the most drastic ever
taken by the government in labor
controversy.
grams to the governors of California,
Nevada and Arizona and to the mayors
of principal cities in those states ask
ing cooperation In maintaining traf-
nc and In preventing interference with
the movement of trains
Washington, Aug. 30.-Acceptance
OF President Wilson's offer of a small
wage increase pending the outcome of
the governments efforts to reduce the
cost of living was advised by the exec
utlve council OF the railway shop
unions In a letter sent to all union
locals.
Ofhclals Of the unions conferred
with Samuel Gompers, president, and
other members Of the executive com
mittee OF the American Federation of
Labor. Their letter said II there was
TO be n strike every class of railway
employees should be willing to join in
the movement.
"If the federated shop trades strike
now" the letter said, "they carry the
full burden Of securing the same gen.
eral increase for the IS per cent of
he railroad employees who have not
yet decided what action they propose
10 take. We do not believe that we
should allow ourselves to be placed in
hat position.
''In our opinion the next 90 days will
bring the entire situation to n head,
and II strike Is to take place every
lass OF railroad employees should be
willing to join In the movement, share
i their full measure Of responsibility
and not leave the issue to be decided
by % per cent of the railroad en-
ployees represented by the federated
trades.
1T is our honest judgment that a
fatal mistake would be made by our
members to assume the responsibility
Of tying up the railroads at this time
when the president is evidently doing
all possible to reduce the high cost OF
living.
"It Is but fair to assume that the
president will have the loyal support
Of q majority of the American public
in his effort to procure this much
needed relief. We would, no doubt
be charged with obstructing his efforts
at should be understood, however
that II the government fails to effect {
Substantial reduction in the cost Of
living within q reasonable time W.
reserve the right to put the strike vote
into effect"
Saturday morning has been set al
the time limit by which all striking
railroad employees on the Pacific coas
must return to work "or the brother
hoods will support the federal admin
lstration in its endeavor to operat,
trains wherever they have contracts.
This ultimatum was sent from tn
cleveland headquarters Of the fou
1rotherhoods to the strikers and wa
communicated also to the railroad ad
ninlstration.
Upon his return here from Europ
samuel Gompers, president of tn
american Federation of Labor, wen
nto conference with officials of the /
abroad unions TO discuss Presiden
Wilson's decision that there should b
% general increase in railroad en-
loyees wages while the governmen
1as conducting its campaign to reduc
wing costs.