The sun., 1919-08-29

The railroad employees have made re-
quests for wage increases that equal or
are greater than the requests submitted
by the federated shop trades
Their requests have been denied ex-
cspt where Il can be shown that they
have not been given relatively the same
consideration. This means that only
adjustment OF Inequalities will be made
where II can be demonstrated that such
Inequalities exist.
Big Burden for shopmen.
IF the federated shop trades strike
now they carry the full burden OF Sc
curing the same general increase for the
gs per cent. Of the railroad employees
who have not yet decided what action
they propose to take. We do not believe
that we should allow ourselves to De
placed in that position.
''In our opinion. the next ninety days
win bring the entire situation to heao'
and II a strike Is to take place every
class Of railroad employee should De
willing to Join in the movement, snare
the full measure of responsibility ana
not leave the issue to be decided by the
20 per cent. OF the railroad employees
represented by the federated trades
.The adjustment in wages that has
been offered to the federated shop trades
IL accepted will establish increa SEES that
are practically equivalent to the IN
creases granted any other class OF rail-
road employees. This must not be lost
sight OF in considering the situation VIC
now face.
"It is conceivable that men may de-
eide to do a thing in manner that VIII
lessen their chances OF ultimate success
but common sense dictates that ~ per
cent. OF the railroad employees shouio
not undertake to fight the battle for the
10 per cent who have asked for general
wage Increases and who have been de-
MED, as we have, any further general
increa SEES unless the effort to increase
the purchasing value OF the dollar ny
reducing living costs proves unsuc-
cessfvl.
sNith a reasonable degree OF GER
s.,nty we recognize that this letter,
coupled with the recommendations we
propose to make, will draw CRITICISMS
from the individuals in our organiza-
sions who have not as yet Indicated
desire to listen to reason or abide by any
criticism not of their own making.
There liz not now, nor has there ever
been, objection to honest criticism. such
criticism is not Objectionable; on the
contrary is welcome, and this comment
10 made for the express purpose or d.
recting the attention of the membership
TO members who have by various means
introduced methods OF procedure which
must appeal to every right thinking
union man as being detrimental to the
organization that we have perfected as
tho result of thirty years untiring effort
and generally against every obstacle
that could be invented to defeat us.
Delay Decision on Strike.
TN view If the facts as above stated
your executive officers and national
agreement committee recommend that
the question of suspending work be le'i
in eur hands, with the understanding
that no strike order will be issued un-
less such action becomes absolutely
necessary to meet the conditions arising
from the present situation, or in joint
action with other railroad organizations
for q general wage increase.
'-fhe above Recommendation is made
after mature elaboration and considera'
ton of all the elements entering into
this controversy. 1t IL our honest Judg'
ment 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 evil
IDENTIFY doing all possible to reduce tn,
high cost of living. 1t Is but fair &c
assume that the President will have the
loyal support of a majority of the Amer
lean public in his effort to procure this
much needed relief. We would, n,
doubt. be charged with obstructing hi'
efforts.
eft should be understood, however
that II the Government fails to effect {
Substantial reduction in the cost Of liv
ing within a reasonable time we reserve
the right to put the strike vote into ef
feet
1--WE sincerely trust that the contents
Of this letter will be given the considera
ton that this important subject merits.
The officials of the shop unions, al
well as those of the brotherhoods wh'
also conferred with the executive coun
Gil, declined to make any statement othel
than the issuance Of the letter to thu
shopmen. Warren s. Stone, chief of tn,
Brotherhood of Railway Engineers anC
william Lee. head of the Brotherhood o
Conductors, conferred with the executive
council and with the officials of the shop
men. II Is understood that they took
strong position against a railroad strik
at this time. which would be prejudicia
to labor as a whole.
Council Gets Actors Plant.
Affairs OF the Actors Equity Associa
ton were laid before the executive coun
ell by President Frank Gilmore. Presi
dent Weber of the Musicians Unioi
s also was heard. Neither the nature no
the outcome of their presentations wa
The crisis in the steel trade was ais
presented to the council by Frank Har
rison, representing the steel workers
No statement on action taken could b
obtained. The steel workers are de
handing recognition of the unior
Whether the reception OF the committe
and thus giving recognition will end tn
strike was not made known.
The Plumb Plan League was repre-
Bented before the council by Glenn T
Plumb and ex-Representative Edward s
Keating. manager OF the league The
came out smiling. but had no statement
There are many indications that tn
league will not find the support in labo
II had expected.
It was freely reported that Presider
Gompers does not approve of 1t. II
has declined to make public statemer
on the subject until he has gone over
and consulted with his counsel. It wa
stated to-day. however. that efforts
put the Plumb plan forward as that G
organized labor Is not favored, and tina
president Gompers Is waiting only hi
own opportunity to come out on tn
subject.
Secretary Lane declared to-day tina
the President should not wait upon Cor
gressional action upon the resolution pre-
posing the calling OF an Industrial cor
ference, but should issue the call at ono
because OF the grave economic situation
III was put forth before the labor az