The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-08
Cordially and sincerely yours.
(Signed) "WOODROW VIII son
HINES NOTIFIES UNIONS


Director General Hines notified the
unions Immediately that the railroad
administration was ready to take up
the questions las soon as the employees
return to work In a letter to B. M.
Jewell, acting president of the railroad
employees department of the American
Federation of Labor, Mr.. Hines said:
II enclose a letter which | have just
received from the President relative to
the wage matter. Ii is obvious that
it is of the highest Importance not only
in the il.erest of the public but in the
interest of the employees themselves that
they shall Immediately return to work.
The situation having been clarified by
the definite indication that Congress
does not wish to take action in the
premises, the railroad administration
stands ready to take up the wage ques-
ton on its merits with the duly ac-
credited international officers and their
authorized committee as soon as the
employees return to work.
The effect of the Presidents
decision, it was believed would be to
put sudden end to sporadic strikes
throughout the country, denounced as
Illegal by union officials. but involv-
ing perhaps $4,000 men and to some ex-
tent normal traffic. 1t was taken for
granted also that the menace of a
general strike to compel higher wages
to meet increased living cost like
wise was removed by the Presidents
action p
If Director Hines orders an increase
ir wages, sinH the railroad admins
tration now is operating at a loss,
either an advance in rates or con-
gressional appropriation will be neces-
sary to provide the money. The four
teen principal railroad unions in a
joint communication to the director
ho enc tad L.a To-
STRIKE BALLOT PLANNED
Preceding the making public of the
Presidents letter by only a few hours
was an announcement by J. J. Forester,
president of the brotherhood of clerks,
freight, express and steamship employees,
that the 100000 men of the union would
begin balloting tomorrow as to whether
they should strike Immediately or await
further governmental action. Wage de-
mands were submitted by the SOC, 900 shop
men last February, but other pressing
matters before the board of wages and
working conditions affecting employees
who had not previously received consid
GRAFTON delayed decision until July 16
and then the board divided, three hold
ing that the increases should not be
granted and three holding that additional
pay was justified. The amount asked was
Is per cent Conferences between the
SnOpmeH oHlcerS ana the director gen
eral were arranged, but even before they
could be held, men began to go on strike.
which led the President to devote a con-
siderable portion of his letter to con-
demning their action.
Other unions also put in demands for
more pay, with the exception of the en-
gineers. who said they preferred reduc-
ton in the cost of living.
In the face of a growing deficit. Mr.
Hines had no funds to pay more wages.
The Senate had passed the bill restor-
ing the right of the Interstate Commerce
commission to review rates initiated by
the director general and as it was re
ceiving favorable attention in the House.