The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-27
On Outcome of Shopmcn's
Balloting Will Hinge In
dustrial Peace of Rail-
rOads-Result of Vote Ex-
pected in Three Weeks
BY .s.oo.asss rr...

w aShlngton, August 20
Railroad shopmen throughout
the United States will begin
voting Immediately on wheth-
er they will accept the wage
proposals made yesterday by
President Wilson and Director
General Hines or go out on
strike to enforce their demands
for general advance in pay.
On the outcome of the balloting hinges
industrial peace on the government-con-
trolled railroads. If the 10000 shopmen
decide to accede to President Wilson's de-
cision that there shall be no general wage
advances until the government shows
what can be done to control the rising
cost of living, sufficient time to effect
some change in the price level probably
will elapse before other uniDns press theif
| demands for more money.
What action the government may be
expected to take in the event of vote
by the shopmen to strike for an imme-
date increase in wages, which President
Wilson has said would have disastrous
has not been disclosed, If indeed it has
been considered.
Indicative of the determination by the
director general and administration OF
railroads to deal fairly with all classes
of employees, the director general today
instructed the board of railway wages
to consider promptly any demands that
might be made and to report recon-
mendations for correcting any inequali-
n-rI-< ~, r1I, ar H.
vances for any classes will not be made
until it had been proved that the present
level of prices y permanent. In that case,
both the President and Mr.. Hines have
given assurances that railroad workers
would receive early reimbursement of their
wages.
The taking of a strike vote ordinarily
requires about three weeks. In the pres
ent instance, however, It is believed the
vote may be completed earlir, as instruc-
lions were given by the international Of
ficers to the unions to summon meetings
ldf necessary and to telegraph the result;
of the balloting.
HINES PROPOSAL REFUSED
Announcing that they had refused
the proposal Of the director general,
the committee of 100 representing the
shopmen made public letter sent to
the various locals calling for strike
vote. The committee was IN Session
several hours today. debate becoming
bitter at times. it was said the more
radical of the members demanding a
strike to compel more money. In me
| letter. however. was seen suggest on
that some of the committee were in
clinee to give the government chance
| to make good in the campaign against
! high prices !.
\ Asking very serious consideration
| of the question. the committee told the
unions that any additional general in
crease in the wages of railroad en-
ployes. virtually all of whom have
made or will make demands for more
| money, would include the shopmcn.
and they wers~told not to forget that
a strike now meant that the shopmen
were striking alone to force an IL
crease for the entire 100000 railroad
employees.
| Strike benefits. it was said, would
not be paid beyond the limits now
available
GOMPERS DECLINES TO TALK
~ Associated prsss
New York. August 2e.-Declining ~
discuss current labor problems in de-
tC-ss,aeA - pace Thfrteen)