The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-26

I'VE are face to face with .
situation which is more likely TO
affect the happiness and pros
pcrity. and even the life. of our
people than the war itself.
The leaders of the shipments or
ganizatinn would not indicate tonight
the probable action which will fol-
law. Headed by e. III. Jewell. presi-
Gent OF the railway employees de-
Lartment OF the American Fedora
ton OF Labor, sia of them called on
Director General of Railroads Hines
II his ONCE late today.
FINAL. ACTION
IL the governments action hnal =
was the question they asked.
ssIt 4, a@w Wa. his reply.
The railroad men then left. They
said they had no statement TO make
and possibly would not have one to-
Ei9ht. They would not comment on
the report that they had already de-
cIded TO reject the presidents com.
promise and cali strike This point
II the crux OF the entire matter
At labor headquarters this after
t.oon n corps OF c.erks was busy tabu-
lating the last ballots OF the strike
vote Of the shop.nen.
III these we're in favor Of 4 strike,
the strike was 10 be called Septem-
Ter z.
The president takes the view,
though, that the vote just completed
MAS an issue. which no longer existA
He says that ii concerned his sug-
eestion thai commission DE appoint
&C TO consider the claims for higher
wages The railroad administrA-
ton believes that = new vote will have
to be taken as a result OF the prcst-
gents offer. and it IA relying on the
sober second thought OF the shop
mer,--acquainted by the president
with the possibilities of = strike a
the entire economic life OF the nation
Ito avert an actual walkout.
SOMETHING OMNIBUS
There is something ominous. how
aver. in an examination OF the strike
taltots. They bear two propositions.
The first Is a question to the men ~
10 whether or not they favor the APP
pointment OF a wage commission,
such rs was suggested by the presi-
cent. the second asks them whether
or not they stand by their original
demands and art willing to strike "a
obtain them.
while labor officials have mot iipish-
"a their tabulAtion OF the ballots they
said today that Two per cent of the
100000 shopmen voted tor the hrst
proposition. and that ninety-cight per
cent voted to stand by their original
demands and thereby indicated their
willingness to strike.
The visit to the White House BY
the shopmen's Representatives, their
kour's conversation with the president
and the issuance Of tho two state
rpents, together witf<a third state
rfsent from Director General Hines to
the president had the immediate ef-
feet OF bringing the entire railroad
situation and all its grave aspects to
the attention OF not only the adminis-
tration but the entire country.
1t was Of sucE general aignifi-
canoe" that the president was
prompted 10 make q statement direct
nent to the shopmen.
HIGH COST OF LIVING
II 10 interviewer with the high cost
of living. and practically every other
factor or our economic life, ana any
.shstantiai increases N the isadins
lines OF industry at this TINA. accord
sfnr to the president. would utterly
crush the general campaign which the
, government IL waging with energy.
v,eour and substantial hope Of sue
!, GEES. to reduce sthe high cost OF Mv-
irG."
Nrfesfdent shows that he ID not alto
eefher IN sympathy with the shop
men on other grounds, He calls At
tantfcn to the fact that they. az 4
I r~nson for their request for higher
M 70, cite the salaries paid men In
mmilar lines who are employed IN
MIN yards. navy yards and arscnal6
49, - Av~A