Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-08-27
800, 600 VIII Decide to Quit or
Accept Wilson's Wage
Proposals.
BITTER DEBATE IN
WORKERS COMMITTEE
Two Million Railroad Workers Are
Affecting by Decision. Local Tn
ions Are Informed by
Leaders.

Washington, Aug. Railroad
shopmeh throughout the United
States will begin voting Immediately
on whether they will accept the wage
proposals made Yesterday by Presi-
dent 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 gov
ernmental controlled railroads. If
the 100000 shopmen decided to ae-
cede to President Wilson's decision
that there shall be no general wage
advances until the government shows
what can be done to control the ris-
ing cost of living sufficient time to
eect some change in the price levels,
probably will elapse before other un-
ions press their demands for more
money.
What action the government may
be expected to take in the event or
vote by the shopmen to strike for
an immediate increase in wages,
which President Wilson has said
would have a disastrous effect on eff
fort to bring down prices, has not
been disclosed, indeed, if it has been
considered
Indicative of the. determination OF
Director General Hines and the rail-
| road administration 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 recommended
tions for correcting any inequalities
found to exist though general az
vances for any class will not be made
until it has been proved that the pres
ent level of prices is permanent. In
that case, both the president and
Mr.. Hines have given assurances that
railroad workers would receive early
read iustment Of their wages.
To Hurry Vote.
The taking of a strike vote ordin-
arilv REQUIRES about three weeks. In
the present instance. however, it IS
believed the vote may be completed
earlier, as instructions were given
by the international officers to the
unions to summon meetings if neces-
sarv and to telegraph the result OF
the ballotng.
Announcing JnaC tIeV ndu TeluScu
the proposal of the director general,
the committee OF 100 representing
the shopmen made public a letter
sent to the various locals calling for
a strike vote. The committee was in
session several hours today, debats
becoming bitter at times, it was said
more radical of the members de-
. mandng strike to compel more
money. In the letter, however, wal
seen a suggestion that some Of the
= committee were inclined to give th'
government "a chance to make good II
the campaign against high prices.
Asking Every serious eonsidera
ton" of the question, the COMMITTEES
r told the unions that additional gen
eral increase in the wages Of rail
! road employees. virtually all of whom
have made or will make demands TO
o more money, would include the shop
o men and they were told not to forge
q that strike now meant that tn
shopmen were striking alone to fore
an increase for the entire 100000
railroad employees. Strike benefits
it was said, would not be paid beyon
the limit of funds now available.